- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 05:17 06:34 12:07 15:10 17:34 18:50
On the first working day of the week with traffic diversions on Sheikh Zayed Road in place, Dubai commuters hit the roads to experience a new commute to work.
We tested two of the most common roads to get across the emirate this morning: Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Zayed Road
The diversion on Sheikh Zayed Road was taken at 8.15am this morning and it was not all that bad.
We hit the road from Interchange 1, where traffic had accumulated, though slow moving.
Driving at 40kmph, it took about two minutes to approach the area where the road diverts.
Some confusion was present among other road users, some of whom switched lanes without purpose, wondering where they had to go.
All 6 lanes smoothly flow into the traffic diversion with a slight curve towards the right.
Right after the Salik tollgate and after the Business Bay Metro station is passed, a bend is made.
As this area is approached, signboards tell commuters that a traffic diversion is in place.
On the diversion, traffic is moving slowly, and at a pace of 30kmph the stretch was covered in about two minutes.
Towards the end, one needs to pay attention to directions, as one can turn back onto Sheikh Zayed Road, or take one of the exits available.
From here, two lanes lead to the Hadiqa Road exit, while another leads to Al Medan Bridge, from where a U-turn can be made if needed.
When ignoring exit lanes, the diversion will lead back automatically to Sheikh Zayed Road, where traffic resumes its usual speed.
According to other road users, tailbacks on Sheikh Zayed Road started a little before the diversion, but were normal on the rest of the road.
Al Wasl Road
Pockets of traffic resulted in jams on Al Was Road this morning, with one resident reporting the duration of the traffic lights had been reduced.
Rena Illhaam said: “The 2nd December Street cross junction that connects Mina Road with Al Wasl Road was a mess because the duration of the green light has been reduced.
“Up until last week, up to 30-odd cars could easily pass onto Al Wasl before the light turned; today barely 10 or so.”
Further down on Al Wasl, the road seems relatively free of traffic incidents until one hit the Al Hadiqah Street turn off at Al Safa Park, where the RTA is putting new diversions in place.
Tailbacks from Al Hadiqah down Al Wasl Road stretched approximately 1km, while the internal roads in Al Safa area also witnessed an unprecedented increase in traffic this morning.
The first day of this week is a holiday for some schools, which will open again tomorrow. More traffic on the road should be anticipated.
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