The bridge leading to Burj Dubai area to open next Sept

He also announced that 70% of construction works in the upper deck of the Financial Center Road, which is the first double deck road in the region, have been completed. Al Tayer also revealed the completion of 40% of construction works in the 1st Interchange of Sheikh Zayed Road (Ex Defence Interchange), which is classified as the biggest flyover undertaken by the RTA.

These announcements were made in an inspection tour made by Al Tayer of some road projects, during which he was accompanied by Nabeel Mohammed Saleh, Acting CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, Adel Al Marzooki, Director of Right of Way Serviced Dep't and a number of directors & engineers of the RTA and contracting companies.

Al Tayer set off his tour by inspecting the work progress in the upper deck of the Financial Center Road; which is part of Ras Al Khor Project, undertaken by the Japanese Taisei Corp. He was briefed on the work progress in the project where completion rate hit 70% and is scheduled for final completion in the following few months of this year.

The Financial Center Road Project entails building of a flyover across Doha Road, consisting of three lanes in the direction of Jumeirah and five lanes in the opposite direction, at a cost of Dhs605 million. The project aims to enhance the efficiency of traffic flow of Doha Road, and accommodate the traffic volumes generated by the new property developments such as Burj Dubai, Dubai Mall, Business Bay, and Dubai International Financial Center. It is envisaged that the Project will inject an intake of more than 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions of the existing road. It includes an elevated interchange enabling traffic flow in and out of the New Ras Al Khor hub. To supplement roads network in the area, two underpasses have been added to ensure seamless traffic flow on the eastern & western parallel roads at the intersection with Doha Road.

Al Tayer hailed the efforts of the working individuals of the contracting company and called on them to redouble their efforts to deliver the project on time. He also called upon them to pay due attention to safety & security standards at all work sites and create a proper environment to ensure the welfare of workers working under the blazing temperature of the summer season.

Al Tayer then moved to inspect the 1st Interchange of Sheikh Zayed Road, which is the biggest interchange undertaken by the RTA. The Project contains bridges extending more than 3 km and underpasses extending 850 meters. The cost of the Project, which is constructed by the Italian Salini Co., is Dh617 dirham.

The new interchanges allow for free traffic flow in all directions of the project which links Sheikh Zayed Road with the upper & low deck of the Financial Center Road. It also includes construction of an underpass to link the road passing behind Mazaya Center with the Road passing behind the towers overlooking Sheikh Zayed Road. Moreover, it covers widening of Al Safa Road, and improving interchanges thereon up to Al Wasl Road.

This Project completes the 6th and Final Phase of Ras Al Khor Contracts; spanning 14 km of roads starting from Beirut underpass in the north and terminating at the 1st Interchange of Sheikh Zayed Road.

Al Tayer expressed his delight with the work progress in the Project and directed to complete construction works in the interchange such that it is synchronized with the completion of the main works in the upper deck of the Financial Center Road. He also directed to maintain the highest standards of occupational health in all work sites.