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Flyovers to ease traffic snarls in Al Nahda area

SHARJAH - As a result of the accidents taking place at the U-turns adjacent to Sahara Mall in the Al Nahda area, the Sharjah Directorate of Public Works has announced that several flyovers will be constructed in the area for the safety of motorists.

Khawla Al Muala, Director-General of Sharjah Directorate of Public Works, said that the directorate has initiated a major project in the Al Nahda area, which involves the construction of several flyovers to ease the flow of traffic, especially during peak hours.

"A number of flyovers will be constructed to replace the U-turns in this particular road and project will be over by next year," she pointed out.

Meanwhile, the motorists have stressed that the step was essential, keeping in view that the road was always jammed during weekends and peak hours.

Salah K., a motorist, said that these U-turns are considered among the most dangerous in the city. "Motorists should be aware whenever they use the three lane road, especially because pedestrians keep crossing the road during the day," he said.

Mr Salah said that the presence of a shopping mall in the area contributed to congestion. "A motorist has to wait for almost five minutes at the U-turn. The said venture can prove fatal as motorists coming from the opposite direction increase the speed to dodge the vehicles waiting for the U-turn," he pointed out.

Alaa Assaf, another motorist, said that he uses the road as an alternative to the Al Ittihad Road (Sharjah-Dubai Highway). "I have always preferred Al Nahda Road to reach Al Qusais and from there to my destination in Dubai. But the U-turns on this road are causing traffic jams on both sides which on some occasions make it much easier, smoother and less risky to use Al Ittihad Road," he said.

Aiman H., a motorist who met with an accident at one of the U-turns, said the motorists race to take the U-turn, which leads to accidents.

"The visitors to the nearby shopping malls, who need to return to Sharjah, are forced to either use the opposite U-turn because the alternative route is a very long-winding through the Sharjah Industrial area," he added.

"Though sometimes we see the cops easing the traffic flow and imposing fines on those found violating the laws, a long-term solution is vital to ease the snarls. The police have placed barriers at these U-turns to prevent more than one car passing at a time and this was a welcome move," Mr Aiman said.