Revealed: This is what Dubai will look like in 2014

Dubai is an emirate always on the move. If you thought you had mind-framed the emirate’s roadmap at large, there is probably a road diversion, road construction or announcement of such sort taking place right then, and before you know it your previous road knowledge does no longer apply.

In the year 2013 Dubai has not remained the same. Al Khail Road had a major revamp, with stretches of widened highway and improved intersections providing better connectivity to Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (SMBZ Road). SMBZ Road was widened too in a 10 km stretch running from Arabian Ranches Interchange up to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

Road access in Jebel Ali villages was improved with a revamp of the western and eastern parallel roads, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) became more accessible through the opening of new connections to surrounding communities, Trade Center Roundabout saw the addition of a new parallel road connecting First Al Khail Road with Sheikh Rashid Road and Rashid Tunnel was renovated to better support high volumes of traffic.

Road development most certainly will not stop in 2013. In fact, major plans are lined up for the year 2014. While some projects have already started and are expected to see completion in the year to come, a new list of projects is ready to be kicked off in 2014.

Emirates 24/7 spoke exclusively to Maitha bin Adai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency (TRA) and asked what to expect in terms of road developments in 2014.

New connections in Jebel Ali

This year the first flights took off from Al Maktoum International Airport, located in Jebel Ali area. The location is set to become the new hub of commercial activity, especially as Dubai assured hosting Expo 2020. Development of the area is in full swing, with short as well as long term projects taking place next year.

Two new connections between Sheikh Zayed Road and SMBZ Road will materialise in 2014; one through Al Maktoum Airport Street, and the other one through Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road, said Maitha. Expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014, these connections form part of stage 4 of the Parallel Roads Project.

In the same year, the widening of Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road will be completed. With 99 per cent of the project works already completed, 2014 will see the finishing touches of the project, which mostly entail works around the first roundabout located 4 km off the Dubai - Al Ain Road intersection.

Another connection in the area will be made between SMBZ Road and Emirates Road, just outside the premises of the new airport. The new road, named Yalayes Road, will be an extension of the road currently originating from Al Houdh Roundabout, serving Green Community and Dubai Investment Park. Although this project will not be completed for another 18 months, work on the project commenced this month.

JLT linked to SMBZ Road

JLT will be linked to SMBZ Road by the end of 2014. JLT was maybe the most discussed community of Dubai this year when it comes to traffic and road construction. As part of the Parallel Road Project, construction has taken place at several key intersections, with the aim of improving access to and from the community.

The re-opening of the most important intersections has been announced this month, and with that most of the work has been completed. However, one project is remaining, said Maitha: the construction of the link to SMBZ Road. This project is currently under construction and expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Business Bay-Al Khail Road connection

A new road will be established in Business Bay leading to Al Khail Road. As part of the Parallel Roads Project, traffic improvements were made this year aimed at enabling smooth traffic between the community and Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. However, access to Al Khail Road remains limited to this point.

Work on a new road will commence in 2014, enabling free traffic flow from Al Khail Road to Business Bay, said Maitha. The time frame of the project is unclear.

Widening and Improving of Umm Suqeim Road

In an effort to increase the connection between Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and SMBZ Road, the improvement of one such link –Umm Suqeim Road- will take place in 2014. The launch of phase 1 and 2 of the project was announced to be no sooner than January and February 2014 respectively, and all the work is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

The improved link will enable free traffic movement for vehicles coming from Sheikh Zayed Road, passing through Al Khail Road interchange, Arabian Ranches interchange and heading towards Al Qudra Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; and in the opposite direction from Arabian Ranches interchange to Jumeirah through the interchanges of Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.

More connecting roads in 2014

Umm Suqeim Road and the new Jebel Ali connections are not the only additions that will be made in 2014 to improve the connection between the main roads of Dubai.  In order to link Sheikh Zayed Road with SMBZ Road, the improvement of Al Sabkha Road is currently under construction and planned for completion by the end of 2014.

Moreover, as part of the Parallel Road Projects Al Asayel Road will be extended to connect to Oud Metha, in a project expected to be completed in 2014, said Maitha.

Dubai Creek extension

One of the most ground-breaking projects of Dubai at the moment is the extension of Dubai Creek. Although this project will take three years to be completed, development will certainly be seen in 2014.

The three-kilometre long project, which has been named Dubai Canal, will lead the already extended creek from Business Bay area all the way to Jumeirah beach, cutting through Sheikh Zayed Road, Safa Park, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road.

Alternative roads will need to be constructed, and works with that aim have already commenced. Eventually, a 16-lane tunnel on Sheikh Zayed Road will be constructed, as well as two bridges crossing Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road.

More projects to kick off in 2014

Many other projects are expected to be launched in 2014. According to Maitha, Meydan Road Corridor will be improved, the road to Dubai Internal Airport will be expanded at Al Ittihad Bridge, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road will be improved, works will commence on Al Houd Roundabout, Academic City Road will be extended, Al Aweer Road will be improved and International City will become more accessible.

Internal road improvements will be realised within communities such as in Oud al Mateena 2, Al Mamzar and Al Nahda and Sama al Jadaf. Road pavements will be laid in Al Safa 2, Umm al Shief and Al Manara, while footpaths will be built in Safa 1 and a cycle track will be realised in Al Sufooh and Al Mamzar Park.
Furthermore, currently controlled parking areas such as Tecom, Al Nahda 1, Al Mamza and Al Warqa will be rehabilitated and improved parking options will be established at mosques, Maitha concluded.

[Image via Shutterstock]
 

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