Video: New Dubai-Sharjah link roads to cut travel time, ease traffic

Al Khawaneej Road Improvement Project includes the construction of three intersections, and service roads extending 23km along Al Khawaneej and Al Amardi Roads.

Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the project improves vertical roads linking with the Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road up to the Airport Street.

“Upon completion, it will slash the travel time between the Emirates Road and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from 25 minutes to 9; and the waiting time at the junction of Al Khawaneej-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads (Al Khawaneej Roundabout) from 330 seconds to 45.

“It will double up the capacity of the junction from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour. Replacing the roundabout at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Al Amardi Roads by a surface junction will halve the waiting time from 120 seconds to 60,” explained Al Tayer.

The underpass intersection of Al Khawaneej Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road is 82 per cent complete. “The contractor has completed the construction works at the closed section of the tunnel and is currently working on the supporting walls of the open section of the tunnel. Works are expected to be completed and the tunnel to be opened for traffic this March,” said Al Tayer.

The work progress rate has reached 60 per cent on the bridge leading to Al Awir.

Improved links

The project includes the construction of a tunnel of three lanes in each direction, extending 680 metres at the intersection of Al Khawaneej Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road.

“Works also include the construction of a surface signalised junction to ensure free and safe traffic flow on Al Khawaneej Road, and upgrading the existing roundabout at the intersection with Al Amardi Road by a signalised junction. The intersection of Al Amardi-Emirates Roads will be upgraded to a flyover of two lanes in each direction, extending 201 metres above the Emirates Road in the direction of Al Awir,” said Al Tayer.

The project also includes the construction of a footbridge near the Arabian Centre on Al Khawaneej Road; service roads extending 23km along Al Khawaneej and Al Amardi Roads; and upgrading three junctions at Algeria Street to signalised junctions.

Opened sections

Last November, the RTA opened the surface signalised junction at the intersection of Al Khawaneej Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road.

Earlier, the RTA opened the surface intersection of Al Khawaneej and Al Amaradi Roads as well as the improvements at the intersection of Algeria street at Al Warqaa.

Supporting corridors

The construction of Al Khawaneej Road Improvement Project follows the completion and opening of all phases of improvements of the Airport Street Project involving upgrading four intersections: Al Rashidiya, Nadd Al Hamar, Marrakech, and Casablanca.

The project had immensely improved the traffic flow, reduced the waiting time and sorted out congestions caused by overlapping traffic.

It also follows the opening of Tripoli Street Improvement Project, providing a link between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. The opening of this 12km road eased the traffic flow, improved the entry points of Al Warqa and Mirdif along Tripoli Road and enhanced the safety along the corridor.