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29 March 2024

RTA signs Dh272m Al Houdh roundabout contract

Layout of key interchanges on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. (Supplied)

Published

In implementation of the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) under the chairmanship of Mattar Al Tayer, has endorsed awarding a contract for upgrading the existing Al Houdh Roundabout and converting it from a signalised R/A to a free multi-tier crossing at a cost of Dh227 million.

The award of this contract thus brings the total cost of widening and improving the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from the outskirts of Dubai and Sharjah up to Al Houdh R/A to as much as Dh2.52 billion.

“Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued directives to upgrade Al Houdh R/A and complete it as early as possible in order to improve the traffic movement on this junction, and raise its capacity by constructing flyovers across the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to ensure a smooth traffic flow from and to Al Yalayis Road in all directions,” stated Al Tayer.

“The project comprises widening of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in an 11km-long sector stretching from Al Houdh R/A up to the intersection leading to Al Maktoum Airport from three lanes to six lanes in each direction.

“It also encompasses the construction of a service road running 4km on both sides of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from the intersection with Al Khail Road to Al Houdh R/A to ease the entry to/exit from development projects in the neighbourhood.

“The project, which will be constructed over 24 months, also covers other works such as street lighting, storm water drainage systems, traffic signals, and road markings in addition to utility works as needed by service providers in the area,” he added.

Phase II

Al Tayer indicated that Improvement of Al Houdh R/A Project is part of Phase II of Improvement & Widening of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Project. “Previously the RTA opened a flyover across Al Houdh R/A on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to service vehicular traffic coming from Jebel Ali Port to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in the direction of Dubai city.

“The crossing comprises three lanes extending about one kilometer linking Al Yalayis Road in the direction from Jebel Ali to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in the direction of Dubai, besides the opening of the widening of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from three to six lanes in the direction from Al Houdh R/A to the Arabian Ranches interchange in a sector stretching 10 kilometres in total.”

“As part of Phase II of the Improvement & Widening of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Project costing about Dh940 million, the RTA has accomplished the construction of a flyover linking Hessa Road, Al Khail Road and Al Barsha area with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

“This vital junction serves the traffic movement from and to Al Barsha community through the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and provides seamless traffic movement in all directions besides serving communities under development in the vicinity of the junction.

“The RTA had earlier opened the construction of a multi-level interchange at the intersection of Al Khail Road with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road involving the construction of six bridges to ensure smooth traffic flow in all directions, in addition to two ramps to serve left-turn movement.

“By completing this project, at a cost of Dh575 million, the RTA completed the traffic link between the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road,” stated RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director.