RTA reviews vital projects at the Gulf Traffic Exhibition & Conference 2007

RTA is tackling this challenge through conducting a sweeping and deeply rooted development of roads network and transportation systems in the emirate. In a presentation made as part of the events of Gulf Traffic Exhibition & Conference recently held in Dubai, Engineer Maitha bin Adai reviewed a number of vital projects that have been completed, about to be completed or underway aimed at rising up to the challenges of future era.

Such projects include the Business Bay Crossing, which is one of the most important road projects carried out in Dubai. It consists of 13 lanes starting from Beirut Tunnel and extending up to the Defence Intersection at Sheikh Zayed Road. It ensures free and full navigation 24 hours a day as it rises 15 meters above the water level, with an intake of 29 thousand vehicles per hour.

The projects portfolio also included the Floating Bridge, which is a prompt solution intended to alleviate traffic jams at other traffic hubs. It extends from surface intersection, near City Center & Dubai Golf Club at Deira and terminates at Al Riyadh Road between Dubai Courts and Creek Park. It has a total length of 360 meters, consists of three lanes at each direction, and has an intake of 6 thousand vehicles at both directions during the morning and evening peak hours.

She pointed to the Widening of Emirates Road from 3 to 6 lanes at each direction extending 33 km, including provision of additional lanes to seven intersections at Emirates Road. The number of vehicles expected to use it is about 10 thousand vehicles per hour in each direction. Widening works have also been carried out at Al Maktoum Bridge which has been recently opened for traffic. These renovations included adding three lanes and widening the roads leading to the Bridge from two to three lanes at the entry of the Bridge for traffic from Umm Harir Road, and increasing the number of lanes from Deira to Bur Dubai from four to six lanes," she said.

She said, "The New Al Garhoud Bridge, which will be opened for traffic in March 2008, includes construction of two new bridges of six lanes to serve the traffic from Bur Dubai to Deira, and seven lanes to serve the traffic from Deira to Bur Dubai. The number of lanes crossing the Creek will make a remarkable increase to reach 47 lanes by 2008 and they will be further increased to 80 by 2012."

Engineer Maitha shed light on a number of other key RTA projects currently underway including Arabian Ranches Intersection; which is considered one of the biggest intersections in Dubai. It consists of a 2.4 km bridges as well as 11 bridges and one underpass. She also referred to the first intersection at Sheikh Zayed Road, which is a flyover enabling free traffic movement in all directions linking Sheikh Zayed Road along with the overhead and ground decks of Doha Road. It includes one underpass to link the road extending at the backside of Mazaya Center with the road extending at the back of Sheikh Zayed Road towers.

The presentation covered Dubai Bypass Road linking the emirate of Dubai with the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and northern emirates without having to pass through down town. She also pointed to Al Ittihad Road Development Project which includes widening works extending six km from Sheikh Rashid Road, through Al Garhoud Bridge up to Al Sho'ala Intersection. The road extends at the side of Dubai International Airport up to Dubai Police General HQ Intersection, and passes through Al Nahdah Intersection (Mulla Plaza).

The projects reviewed also included the 8th Intersection at Sheikh Zayed Road, which consists of a flyover of 10 bridges providing free traffic to the Northern & Sothern Jebel Ali Free Zone Areas, as well as Jebel Ali Airport, Jebel Ali Industrial Area and the center of Jebel Ali city.

She pointed out that Dubai is assuming a pioneering role across the Middle East in introducing Intelligent Traffic Systems. She recalled that Highways & Domestic Roads Dep't started the Falcon project in 1997; where the initial stage was completed in 2005. 27 Variable Messages Systems boards have been installed, as well as 350 traffic lanes control boards, 75 surveillance cameras, and 19 sensors of traffic signals. The Traffic Control Center has been rebuilt and fully equipped with sophisticated and technological systems in the regard. Phase two will be carried out at the start of 2008; which includes Emirates Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Zayed Road extension, and other roads in the emirate.