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Trucks to be diverted to Outer Bypass Road

DUBAI — The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to re-direct the passage of trucks to the Outer Bypass Road once it is open to traffic by the end of this year to reduce the burden on Emirates Road, a senior official has said.

Trucks and trailers are the major cause of traffic congestion on this arterial road, said Engineer Hussain Al Banna, Director, Right of Way Department at RTA.

‘Emirates Road is the only road which does not have a ban on trucks at any time because that would mean a major setback to business establishments in the Emirates,’ he explained.

‘To use other roads, companies need to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NoC) and take an undertaking that allows them to ply on the road,’ he said, adding that this NoC also needs to be shown to the police for easier and uninterrupted movement.

Al Banna said truck drivers breached rules by not following ban timings, carrying loads heavier than the specifications and passing under bridges when they are not allowed to do so.

‘This leads to accidents that cause bottlenecks especially on main roads, including Emirates Road,’ he added.

Referring to a recent accident caused by a truck, Al Banna said the truck loaded excessive machinery which hit the surface of the tunnel and fell down, damaging the tunnel and cement barriers.

‘There was oil leakage, but luckily there was no human casualty,’ he explained. ‘RTA has set up clear signboards at proper distances before tunnels to alert drivers of the maximum allowable height. These signs also indicate exits and alternative roads for trucks.’