New bridge on Dubai's Al Wasl Road to ease traffic flow

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday opened a new bridge serving traffic inbound from Al Aathar Road heading towards Al Hadiqa Road above Al Wasl Road. The ramp will ease the traffic flow coming from Jumeirah Road and Al Aathar Road in the direction of Al Hadiqa Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.

RTA will maintain the same number of existing lanes of Al Wasl Road in both directions with a slight repositioning of the light signal to enable the contractor complete works relating to Dubai Water Canal Project.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, said: “Work is progressing according to the set time chart of the project where completion rate of the entire project is 80 per cent. The contractor of the initial phase, which includes the construction of a bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road comprising eight lanes in each direction, had completed construction works early January this year in the northern bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction from Abu Dhabi to Dubai stretching one kilometer. The company then started construction works of the southern bridge in the direction from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, where construction works of the initial phase are expected to be completed this August.

“Completion rate of the bridge on Al Wasl Road has exceeded 90 per cent and is expected to be completed by the end of this May. Likewise, completion rate of the bridge on Jumeirah Road had exceeded 35 per cent, and is expected to be opened by end-July. The contract of Phase II of the project encompasses the construction of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads rising 8 meters above the Water Canal enabling the passage of boats below. Works also include the construction of a bridge serving the traffic movement inbound from Al Aathar Road and outbound to Al Hadiqa Road above Al Wasl Road up to Sheikh Zayed Road to ensure a smooth traffic flow instead of the existing light signal. Construction works also include bridges leading to the proposed peninsula to the south of Jumeirah Park, and the shifting of utility lines underneath the Canal as well as laying alternative conduits below the Canal bed to cater to anticipated future requirements.

“Work is gathering pace in Phase III of the project involving drilling works of the water canal, which are expected to be completed this September. The contract of Phase III covers the drilling of a water canal stretching 3.2 km, building the sides of the Canal linking the Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf, extending from the Sheikh Zayed Road and passing across Al Safa Park and Jumeirah 2 and terminating in the Arabian Gulf at the southern part of the Jumeirah Beach Park. The project also includes the construction of three pedestrian bridges linking the two shores of the Canal and four marine transit stations to bolster the role of marine transit services. Phase III also includes land-filling works to build a man-made peninsula along the Jumeirah Park, which will double the beach line of the Park, increase the park area, and offer a room for extra leisure activities.

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