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New Dubai’s parallel road opened in February eases rush

More road projects are in the pipeline to ensure smooth traffic flow in New Dubai, a top official told Khaleej Times.

Congestion on the roads around Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) has been resolved with the opening of a major parallel road in February. More road projects are in the pipeline to ensure smooth traffic flow in New Dubai, a top official told Khaleej Times.

In an exclusive interview, Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency (TRA) of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said there are currently no road congestions in these areas and traffic is running smoothly after opening the parallel road last month.

“In December 2013, we completed one stage of the parallel road in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers area. Currently, we have an ongoing project to connect Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Jumeirah Village to Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road,” she said.

The construction of this project, she said, is estimated to cost Dh78 million and it will be completed by the end of this year. In Dubai Marina, the ongoing project of the tram is complemented with the integration and improvement of the pedestrian walkway and pedestrian crossings.

Bin Adai said the parking problems in the JLT, if any, is not the responsibility of the TRA “because it is a private development”. “The developer is responsible for providing adequate parking spaces in accordance with the development requirement,” she said.

The projects being undertaken in New Dubai include the Blue Water Project, extension of the Academic City Road, improvement of Meydan Road and improvement of Al Khail Road. Blue Water Project of the TRA will provide access to Blue Water Island, which will start in the first quarter of this year. “A major part of the comprehensive improvement of parallel roads is currently under design,” bin Adai said.

The extension of the Academic City Road, which is a major highway, will commence in the first quarter of 2015. It will start from the Dubai Silicon Oasis to Al Yalayes Road, and will include a full separated interchange, some at grade intersections, beautification and road lighting.

Bin Adai explained that the improvement of the Meydan Road, which is an arterial street, passes next to a nature reserve as an extension of Meydan Road and ends at Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Street. The improvement of Al Khail Road is an extension of the road between Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road with several grade separation interchanges.

lily@khaleejtimes.com