Six new bridges to open in Umm Al Quwain by Sept

The construction of six new bridges at the entrance of the emirate, known as Etihad roundabout, at a cost of Dh150 million will be complete by September this year.
The new bridges, which include separate lanes for heavy trucks, are part of a mega project involving a development plan that connects the UAQ city with Falaj Al Mualla area.
So far, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development has completed 75 per cent of the massive project which started in the first quarter of 2015.
The ministry, in a bid to ease traffic congestion due to the construction and development works, built a 1km-long alternative road, along with a number of diversions. Directions and speed limits sign boards have been fixed on both sides of the alternative road, in collaboration with the UAQ Traffic Police.
Eng Mohammed Hassan Al Shenasi, Deputy Director of the Roads Department at the ministry, said the new bridges will connect the entrance of the emirate with highways No 311 and 611.
"The six new bridges include two main ones, each of which consists of two lanes in each direction, added to two surface subways, as well as ring and slide roads that connect the emirate with the Etihad and UAQ-Falaj Al Mualla roads."
The project will enhance traffic flow to and from the emirate, Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Falaj Al Mualla to the east of the emirate, he added.
"A significant improvement is also expected in traffic flow on the Etihad Road for the drivers heading to or coming from the emirates of Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah."
A pedestrian overbridge is also being constructed as part of the project, Al Shenasi said, adding that the project is part of the ministry's strategy to develop the federal roads network.
Official studies show that the major intersection is expected to see a significant growth of 5.3 per cent in terms of the number of users every year.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com