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RTA embarks on Phase I of traffic diversion on Shaikh Zayed Rd

The Abu Dhabi-bound traffic stream will be routed to the new traffic diversion, while maintaining the traffic movement outbound from Abu Dhabi on the Shaikh Zayed Road.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started works in the initial phase of the main traffic diversion on the Shaikh Zayed Road in the Dubai - Abu Dhabi direction nearby Safa Park as part of the Water Canal works. The diversion, which is set to be completed by the end of next October, stretches one kilometre and keeps the same number of the existing lanes to avoid any negative repercussions on the traffic flow throughout the project construction period.

Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “The Abu Dhabi-bound traffic stream will be routed to the new traffic diversion, while maintaining the traffic movement outbound from Abu Dhabi on the Shaikh Zayed Road by diverting it to the lanes currently directed towards Abu Dhabi.

“Parallel to this, the RTA will be starting construction works on the northern bridge in the direction of Dubai on the Shaikh Zayed Road nearby the metro line after routing the traffic movement directly to the traffic diversion,” stated Maitha.

As for the phases of the Dubai Water Canal Project, works have been split in three contracts; the first comprises the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on the Shaikh Zayed Road consisting of 8 lanes in each direction. The bridges will rise 8 metres to allow free navigation in the Canal round-the-clock, besides carrying out a number of improvements on roads network intersection the Canal.

The second contract includes the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on the Jumeirah and Al Wasl Roads spanning 3 lanes on the Jumeirah Road and 2 lanes on Al Wasl Road in each direction, in addition to a flyover from Al Wasl Road to Al Hadiqa Road in the direction of the Shaikh Zayed Road as well as diverting the existing utility lines, and carrying out necessary traffic diversions.

The third contract encompasses the drilling of a 3.2 km-long canal, landfilling works of the island, constructing sea wall around the island to prepare the sand beach, building marina for boats and the Water Bus, and constructing 3 landmark pedestrian bridges above the Canal to link the Jumeirah Beach Walk with Safa Park Walk.