Dubai Canal SZR diversions: Traffic as usual

In less than a week, traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road between Business Bay and Safa Park will be diverted to temporary-built adjacent lanes, which will replace the previous service lanes and pedestrian access to the Safa area.

The diversion road will have the same number of lanes as Sheikh Zayed Road and little traffic impact is expected, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has repeatedly said.

Peter Tyler, who works in the Emarat Atrium building that overlooks the construction zone, said he is relieved diversions are finally reaching its next phase and may finally ease traffic woes in the internal roads of Al Safa.

He said: “I have added nearly an extra 30 minutes to my morning work commute, while the evenings are worse because the roundabout that leads you to Sheikh Zayed Road from Al Safa area gets jammed with cars from 3pm onwards.”

However, there are others who have trepidation over diversions, which will come into effect from Saturday morning.

Annabel Sebastian says her morning commute down Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road will now have to change due to the new road diversions.

She said: “Even with the RTA assuring the general public that it will all go off smoothly, all it takes is a handful of confused drivers to bring traffic to a complete standstill at the diversions. With Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road affected at the same time, this will take more than just a few minutes to iron out.”

Abu Hamed said that the RTA needs to ensure enough road signs are erected for commuters to be handed fair warning of a change in the road structure.

He continued: “This needs to be supported by a detailed map that should be made available in the media, at petrol stations and RTA stalls in malls to ensure everyone is aware a change is about to take place on one of the busiest roads in the country.”

Several drivers also admitted on being confused as to whether they would now be forced into crossing the Salik tollgate.

MD said: “Is Salik being taken into account based on this? Will the diversions force us to use the gates?”

The Sheikh Zayed Road diversion will affect the 1km stretch between the Business Bay Metro bridge (after Al Safa tollgate) and the second interchange, in the direction of Abu Dhabi.

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RTA tweeted: "We are now working on the Dubai Canal Project, please make sure to use the alternative roads #drive_safe"

Rehab Sheikh said she was considering avoiding Sheikh Zayed Road for the week post the start of the diversions to ensure all the “kinks have been ironed out and drivers know what they are doing on the roads.

"The last thing anyone wants is a Kamikaze commuter diving across five lanes to catch Al Hadiqa Street exit, only to discover it may have shifted.”

‘Safa employees’

Those who work in the area have been witness to the transformation of the area surrounding their offices. For them, the diversion is only a final step in the changes that have taken place to their regular commute.

“Right now, it is a hassle to get in and out of the area,” anecdotes Jatin Gondalia, who works in a company in The Atrium.

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In order to get onto Sheikh Zayed Road, a couple of roundabouts must be passed. “It takes about 30 minutes to cross the roundabout. If you take Al Wasl Road, you will get there a little faster but traffic is usually congested there.

“I do not know what will happen once the diversions are in place. Traffic might increase on these roads. Right now, I prefer to take Al Wasl Road. By that time, I will see wherever traffic is least and opt for that road,” he said.

Muhammad Imran works in the same building, and considers himself lucky. “Yes, we are one entrance short, as we previously had one entrance on the front side. However, we are able to enter the building from the back and this is convenient enough.

“I do not think this will change once the diversions are in place. We can take Al Wasl Road and access the parking area from the backside. By the time Dubai Canal is here, we may experience increased traffic but that is still far away.”

Staff at Holiday Inn, which is located adjacent to the previous service lane of Sheikh Zayed Road expect the diversions to improve access to the hotel, which will benefit the tour operators dropping off the hotel guests in front of the entrance.

“Right now, the entry from the service lane is closed, and buses have to make a loop around the area in order to reach our location. But we have been informed that the entry will be re-opened very soon. This means easier access for everybody.”

“Ever since the construction work started, it has been difficult to find a taxi in the area. They do not come here anymore,” said a regular visitor to The Atrium.

Visiting the location at least once per week, he said: “I hope that a taxi lane will be reinstated when the diversions are in place. Previously, there was a taxi line in front of The Atrium. Now, I have to book a taxi in advance when I want to return to office.”

“We ask our clients to park in the area behind our building and walk from there. This is what we have been doing for the past couple of months and will continue to do once the diversions are in place,” said staff at the International House, a language training centre.

Similarly, staff of the furniture stores on Sheikh Zayed Road has been depending on the make-shift parking area. “We used to have parking space in front of the entrance, on the service road. When the road diversion is implemented, we will be able to park on the service road once again,” said an office representative.

However, no information about parking spaces on the new service road has been announced.

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