RAK motorists heave sigh of relief as road opens

The closure of the new golf roundabout in RAK due to construction works was hampering traffic flow in the area.

The new golf roundabout being built in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) city has been partially opened much to the delight of motorists who were tired of getting stuck in traffic jams in the area due to the road work.
"The closure of the road has given us a hard time," said Mohammed Akram, a Pakistani driver. "The road works hampered the traffic flow and long queues of vehicles are seen from a long distance, but we hope this will change with this partial opening."
Ashraf Marwan, Egyptian, said the bodies concerned should have made enough road diversions before closing such an arterial road. "It sometimes takes me 1.5 to 2 hours to cross the road and drive through the always congested alternative road."
Hoping the partial opening of the road will ease traffic, Nasser Othman, Sudanese, said the alternative road temporarily opened due to the roundabout construction was not enough. "There is too much traffic, and there should be more alternative roads and diversions."
Ahmad Al Hammadi, Director of the RAK Public Works and Services Department, said the roundabout, partially opened close to the Golf Court will quite curb traffic snarls.
"Actually, the problem is not in this roundabout," he said. "The whole road, being developed, is a major and busy road, and sees too much traffic most of the day and night."
"The department is all set to accelerate the road works, and has already finished some 50 per cent of the project. "The rest of the road works are expected to be completed within three weeks," Al Hammadi said.
The new roundabout will save time and effort to reach downtown, particularly for those heading from the Nakheel area and northern regions to Al Dheit, Al Khiran and the RAK Airport, he said. "Motorists will not have to drive farther to the Palace roundabout after the opening of the new roundabout."
The new roundabout will be thoroughly opened and it is expected to give a big boost to traffic flow after being widened and re-developed, Al Hammadi underlined.
"The new roundabout will also connect the Nakheel area and northern parts of the emirate with some of the important districts in the Ras Al Khaimah city, such as Corniche Al Qawasim, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed city, Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed city, Al Dheit, Al Khiran, and RAK International Airport."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com