Arabian Ranches Interchange to be opened in mid August 2008

Al Tayer, who made a tour of several road projects, accompanied by Nabeel Mohammed Saleh, Acting CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, and a number of directors & engineers of the RTA and contracting companies, also announced that about 88% of works have been completed in construction of 5.5 Interchange at Sheikh Zayed Road, near Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

Al Tayer set off his tour by inspecting work progress in the Arabian Ranches Interchange; where the Japanese Taisi Corp. has competed the main construction works of the Project, which is considered one of the biggest flyovers undertaken by the RTA.

The Project, which costs around 409 million dirham, consists of 11 bridges extending about 2.5 km, in addition to 1 underpass. Al Tayer was briefed by the consultant and contractor engineers of the Project on the work progress in the interchange, which provides free traffic flow in all directions, particularly left turns and U-turns. Such type of interchanges contains no overlapping in order to ensure smooth traffic flow.

'The Project involves widening of Umm Suqeim Road from four to eight lanes in each direction in a sector extending 2.5 km. It also involves widening of Al Qudrah Road from two to four lanes in each direction in a sector extending 5 km from the interchange of Dubai Bypass Road, and erecting two light signals to serve Auto City and Dubai Studio City,'

said Al Tayer.

The Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the RTA expressed his pleasure with the progress rate of works in the project and directed to speed up completion of widening Al Qudrah Road to be synchronized with the completion of the main works in the Arabian Ranches Project. He also directed to maintain the highest occupational safety standards at all work sites.

Al Tayer continued his tour and inspected construction works in 5.5 Interchange at Sheikh Zayed Road, where Dutco Balfour Beatty has completed the key works in the project, which is one of the giant projects in Sheikh Zayed Road. It ensures free traffic movement in all directions and provides direct access to several key projects such as Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence Towers. It is also considered a major component of developing the vital important Sheikh Zayed Road.

Al Tayer was also briefed on work progress in the Project; which is situated between the 5th Interchange in the north and the 6th Interchange in the south. The Project, which has a cost tag of about Dhs475m, is a free interchange composed of 5 main and multi-level branches. It contains 2 & 3 lanes wide 5 flyovers across Sheikh Zayed Road, enabling smooth entry and exit from Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Residential Beach area, and Jumeirah Lake Towers to this vital traffic hub. It also includes a bridge flying over Dubai Marina Canal, linking with the eastern branch of the western & eastern parallel roads, and extending up to Emirates Road.

Al Tayer concluded his tour by visiting the Marina Crossing at Al Suffouh area; which includes construction of a road linking Al Suffouh Road with Dubai Marina. The Project, which has a cost of Dhs220m, involves building a crossing over the waterway. He directed to accelerate construction works such that the project will be opened for traffic in next September.

The Project includes widening of the existing bridge from one to three lanes in each direction to improve the intake of the road linking Dubai Marina with Jumeirah Beach. Another road will be constructed to link Dubai Marina with Jumeirah Beach across the fourth bridge, as an alternative roadway link between the Marina and the Jumeriah Beach to ease traffic jam at the junctions of Dubai Marina.