New Dubai roadworks could affect Sharjah commute, airport travel

Brace yourself motorists, as the next set of Dubai roadworks could put the brakes on your regular commute over the next 24 months.
 
The Roads and Transport Authority, in conjunction with Dubai Airports, has announced the expansion programme of a number of junctions near Dubai International that could affect your daily work commute, along with your summer travel logistics.
 
In a bid to increase capacity and ease congestion during peak periods, the RTA will commence with roadworks at a number of junctions along Airport Road, including Marrakesh and Casablanca Streets.
 
In a statement, the RTA has said the works will be completed over the next 18-24 months.
 
Dubai Airports’ CEO Paul Griffiths explained the expansion programme has been implemented to “serve the growing demand”.
 
He continued: “Over the past seven years passenger traffic has more than doubled and we have climbed the ranks to become the world’s number one airport for international passenger traffic.”
 
At current capacity, Dubai Airports is operating Terminal 3, Concourse B, Concourse A and most recently Concourse D, with an investment of $13 billion.
 
Griffiths added: “Expansion in the air obviously drives the need for expansion on the ground and throughout our period of continuous and considerable growth the RTA has been instrumental in supporting access and connectivity to the airport for the citizens of Dubai, including the commencement of metro service in 2009.
 
“The new airport road expansion programme will serve to further enhance access and provide us with the capacity we need to serve the growing demand.”
 
Commute affected
 
For Sharjah residents using Al Garhoud Bridge or Business Bay Bridge for their daily travel, may find their commute affected when the D70 junction connecting Airport Road to Casablanca Street (near Prime Hospital-Millennium Hotel) being marked as one of the key traffic points that will be enhanced as part of the roadworks plan.
 
Another junction that could be affected would be the Marrakesh junction, connecting Airport Road commuters past the Emirates and RTA headquarters, connecting via Umm Ramool towards Business Bay Bridge.
 
However, the RTA has confirmed road capacity will be fully maintained throughout construction to limit inconvenience.
 
Although, the authority has added some delays may be experienced as diversions and modifications are made.
 
Dubai Airports has further customers to allow additional time to drive to the airport during peak periods, specifically on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and holiday travel periods due to high passenger loads.
 
Sharjah residents may also find their commute via Dubai-Sharjah highway, along with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, also affected if motorists choose to avoid their usual route to bypass the roadworks.
 
Similarly, smaller road arteries in Garhoud and Rashidiya may also find some slow moving jams.
 
Other roadworks in the pipeline
 
As part of the RTA’s internal roads and arteries improvement plan, the authority is also working towards its next wave of roadworks in Dubai, including ‘Al Shindagah Corridor’ improvements.
 
While no start date has been announced for this project, the above-mentioned Casablanca Street enhancement project, which is connected to Al Garhoud Bridge via D70, will see further roadworks to be centered at the crossing of Sheikh Rashid Road (coming from Al Garhoud Bridge towards Sana Junction), further heading northwards towards Al Shindagha area via Port Rashid junction.
 
Roadworks will also stretch from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road (SZR) or E11, heading towards the junction of Kuwait Street and Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road (popularly known as Centrepoint Signal).
 
Earlier in March, the RTA had announced it had awarded a contract for constructing the Sheikh Rashid Road-Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange Project, costing Dh611 million.
 
Project consultants Parsons described Al Shindagha Corridor improvement project, “consisting of a new bridge – connecting Bur Dubai to Deira – that will serve as a gateway to Dubai.”
 
The project will also include “an evaluation of an existing tunnel under the waterway, nearly 10km of a new 12 lane expressway, multiple major interchanges, and various local roadway improvements throughout the historic district of Dubai.”

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