RTA to paint tunnel walls with heritage designs

The designs approved include prominent icons of the UAE heritage ‘Barajeel and Falcon' drawn in a creative and stylish manner, with Arabic calligraphy in the background.

This was decided at a recent meeting which was chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

He revealed that the Falcon design would be used to decorate the walls of the underpass near Al Mulla Plaza at Al Ittihad Road, which is scheduled for completion in December this year.

“The design of the Heritage City (Barajeel) has been selected to decorate the walls of the underpass of the first interchange at Shaikh Zayed Road, which is expected to be completed by the end of March next year. Folklore designs will be used to decorate walls of the underpass at Mirdif Interchange, which is scheduled for completion in February next year," said Al Tayer.

“Last February, the RTA completed implementation of seven main landscaping and beautification projects at a cost of about Dh57 million, adding an area of 97.8 hectares of greenery," he added.

The RTA has also embarked on similar works in four key roads in Dubai at a cost of around Dh60 million, following completion of final designs.

These projects are part of an overall plan to upgrade and expand greenery and utilise areas surrounding roads in Dubai for beautification projects to keep pace with the urban development of the emirate.

The project, which extends to 12 km, will add 72 hectares to Dubai greenery. It covers a number of roads like Kuwait, Al Rebat and Tripoli roads and the road separating Dubai Hospital and Al Baraha Hospital.

At the time of endorsing the designs, the RTA was keen to ensure that landscaping works match the highest international standards to keep abreast of the modern styles of Dubai, characterised by greenery, blossoming trees and evergreen bushes.

Local flora will be used in Tripoli and Al Rebat Roads, while Kuwait Road will be developed to make it a landmark in Dubai.

In Karama area, where the road is bustling with business, safe seating sheds will be provided and plants will be used to replace metal pedestrian fences.

As to the road separating Dubai Hospital and Al Baraha Hospital, it will be planted with special type of plants which will act as a noise buffer for these two hospitals.

It will also help in terminating the growing trend of parking of vehicles in areas not designated as parking areas.

This year, the RTA will carry out landscaping in 26 locations covering a total area of 360 hectares. Besides, there are 130 projects under the design phase," he added.