Ras Al Khor Road to be widened

In a Press release issued recently, RTA officials said these works were part of Phase III of Ras Al Khor Project linking the Business Bay Crossing with both Doha Road and Al Khail Road.

The project was being undertaken as part of two separate contracts at a cost of more than Dh1 billion.

Engineer Nabeel Mohammed Saleh, Director of Roads Department at Traffic and Roads Agency, explained that a traffic diversion had been made parallel to the existing road to serve traffic from Muscat Road junction heading towards the Business Bay Crossing and Bu Kadreh Bridge in order to facilitate completion of the remaining works of the Business Bay Crossing Road and linking it with Al Khail Road.

“Construction work under the first contract of the project started in February, 2006, at a cost of more than Dh600 million. It includes an extension of Ras Al Khor Crossing starting from Dubai International Airport Tunnel and passing through the Business Bay Crossing across Al Jaddaf in Bur Dubai.

"It also includes construction of a new 5-km road consisting of five lanes in each direction in addition to construction of 11 bridges," the official said.

The second contract, which started being implemented in March, 2006, at a cost of Dh450 million, included construction of several new roads for a total length of 18km ranging from two to five lane. It also included construction of five key bridges across the new Creek Canal to complete the link with the Business Bay Crossing and Doha and Al Khail Roads on one side, and Oud Metha on the other.

Engineer Nabeel said this was part of the RTA strategy to eliminate traffic congestion resulting from the rapid urban growth and huge investment projects.