RTA to finish 11 projects worth Dh3.8bn in H1

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority will complete 11 road and bridge projects worth about Dh3.8 billion in various parts of the city in the first half of this year, said its top official.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said: "The projects have been undertaken as part of the RTA's Master Plan to keep pace with the urban development of the emirate and cope with the present and projected demographic expansion."

The projects include the Dubai Bypass Road, Upper Deck of the Financial Centre Road, the Al Nahda-Beirut Road Interchange, the Mirdif Bridge, Phase I of the Al Ittihad Road Widening Project, the Jumeirah Lakes Interchange, Phase I of the Parallel Roads Project at Al Barsha, and several smaller roads.

Earlier this month, the RTA opened the Dubai Bypass Road Widening Project extending from the outskirts of Sharjah up to Al Rawiyyah Interchange on the Dubai-Al Ain Road. "The RTA is currently engaged in Phase IV of the Dubai Bypass Road in a six-lane sector in each direction extending 25km from Jebel Ali-Al Hebab Road up to the Abu Dhabi border," said Al Tayer.

In the second half of February, the authority will open Phase I of the Dh800 million Al Ittihad Road Widening Project, including construction of two new underpasses at the HQ Intersection. "Considering its immense nature, the project was divided into two separate contracts," Al Tayer said.

Also in the second half of February, the RTA will open the Dhiyafa-Al Mina Roads Interchange, which costs about Dh121m. The project also comprises widening of the Al Mina Road in a 2km sector to four lanes in each direction, in addition to improvement of the intersection of Al Mina Road with Dhiyafa and Wasl Roads. It also includes construction of a 45-metre long pedestrian subway in front of the Dry Dock Gate.

The RTA will also complete Phase 1 of the Parallel Roads Project in the Al Barsha area this month. "The remaining parts of this project will be completed by the end of this year at a cost of about Dh600m," Al Tayer said.

It extends from the Jebel Ali Racecourse up to Meydan Road with a total length of 13km for both the Western and Eastern Parallel Roads. The roads, which pass across Al Barsha Residential area as well as Al Qouz Industrial and Residential areas, consist of three lanes in each direction.

Al Tayer further said that by May, the RTA will complete all key roads at the Jumeirah Lakes Interchange. This project, located between the 5th Interchange and The Gardens Interchange, started in mid-2006 and costs around Dh475m. It includes constructing five flyovers of two to three lanes crossing Sheikh Zayed Road to link Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences from one side and Jumeirah Lake Towers and the Palm Projects from another. Another two-lane bridge is to be constructed across Dubai Marina in each direction. In future, the project will have an eastward link with the Parallel Roads and Emirates Road.

In June, the RTA will also open the upper deck of the Financial Centre Road. This flyover passes across Doha Road and consists of three lanes towards Jumeirah and five lanes in the direction of the Business Bay Crossing and Al Khail Road.

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