RTA to open Arabian Ranches Interchange and close Sheikh Zayed Road towards Dubai for 8 hours

Construction works in this vital project took 24 months at a total cost of Dhs410m.

'The previous R/A at the intersection of Emirates Road with the above mentioned two roads has now been replaced by a multi-tier flyover spanning 11 bridges and one underpass. The project also entailed widening of Umm Squeim Road to 4 lanes in each direction and Al-Qudrah Road to 2 lanes in each direction,'

said Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency in RTA.

She added, 'Construction of this project required massive efforts from work teams of the contractor throughout the construction period. The project included diverting the path of some utility lines, road planning, and erection of guidance & cautionary signage at the approaches of the interchange.'

She also said, 'By opening this vital project, RTA is aiming for a better traffic flow in all directions to supplement its ongoing efforts to construct new roads, bridges and underpasses. This trend is bound to broaden and strengthen the existing road projects, and pave the way for more projects and strategic initiatives in the emirate.'

'Traffic & Roads Agency teams have completed directional and cautionary signs as per the applicable procedures in the RTA and the provisions of Traffic Guide. RTA therefore calls upon motorists to be more attentive and abide by directions shown on road signs, hoping them safe & smooth mobility,' she said.

Maitha bin Adai stressed that RTA is very keen to maintain safety of road users and will save no efforts to widen and develop roads infrastructure in Dubai, to keep the urban development and advancement witnessed by the Emirate in all fields.

She also announced that the Traffic & Roads Agency closing tomorrow Friday 22 August 2008 one stream of Sheikh Zayed Road towards Dubai, in the sector between the 6th Interchange and Ibn Battuta for 8 hours from 02.00 am up to 10.00 am.

The CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency reassured users of Sheikh Zayed Road that the agency will divert traffic to the other stream of the road such that it will be a two-way road, as shown in the attached drawing.

She said:

'Sheikh Zayed Road closure will be carried out in coordination with the General HQ of Dubai Police and will last for 8 hours only starting from 02.00 am up to 10.00 am of the same day to allow for construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge across the road. The crossing will ensure full safety & protection of pedestrians crossing between the two sides of the road. The contracting company will place all directional & guidance signage in accordance with the procedures applicable at the RTA, and the stipulations provided for in the Traffic Diversions Manual. All safety measures will be in place to ensure protection of workers and road users as well.'

She said, 'Police patrols will be carried out to streamline traffic flow at the time of implementing the diversion so as to avoid traffic accidents, as agreed to in the coordinative meeting recently held with Dubai Police.'

'In this regard RTA renews its commitment to ensure safety of road users, including motorists and pedestrians, and reiterates that it will put every effort to expand & develop road infrastructure in the emirate of Dubai to keep abreast of the rapid urban development & advancement witnessed by the emirate in all fields,' she added.