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28 March 2024

Bur Dubai, Karama residents: Tunnel, bridges, roadworks soon

Roadworks are to be centered at the crossing of Sheikh Rashid Road. (Supplied)

Published
By Bindu Rai

Signboards marking the next wave of roadworks in Dubai have already been erected, with ‘Al Shindagah Corridor’ improvements appearing as the subsequent focus of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Earlier in March, the RTA had announced it had awarded a contract for constructing the Sheikh Rashid Road-Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange Project, costing Dh611 million.

While the RTA has yet to announce a set date for the commencement of roadworks, despite follow-ups by ‘Emirates 24|7’, construction and development company Wade Adams has listed the upcoming project’s completion date as December 29, 2017.

Project consultants Parsons described Al Shindagha Corridor improvement project, “consisting of a new bridge – connecting Bur Dubai to Deira – that will serve as a gateway to Dubai.”

The project will also include “an evaluation of an existing tunnel under the waterway, nearly 10km of a new 12‑lane expressway, multiple major interchanges, and various local roadway improvements throughout the historic district of Dubai.”

Which roads will be affected?

According to graphic rendering, the roadworks are to be centered at the crossing of Sheikh Rashid Road (coming from Al Garhoud Bridge towards Sana Junction), further heading northwards towards Al Shindagha area via Port Rashid junction.

Roadworks will also stretch from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road (SZR) or E11, heading towards the junction of Kuwait Street and Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road (popularly known as Centrepoint Signal).

The project will include the construction of an elevated bridge on Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road that would facilitate free flowing traffic and could alleviate jams in the Bur Dubai and Al Karama district from Al Mankhool area.

The RTA describes it as a ‘two-lane bridge on the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road with Kuwait Street, [with] a signalised junction underneath the bridge’.

Furthermore, a tunnel will also find its way on Shaikh Rashid Road that could see free flowing traffic from Al Garhoud and Wafi Interchange towards Port Rashid junction, which would further lift the gridlock at Sana junction during peak hours for vehicles turning right into Al Karama.

The project also includes the construction of a bridge stretching from Umm Harir Road (the exit of Al Maktoum Bridge into Bur Dubai) in the direction of Shaikh Rashid Road.

New traffic lights have already been erected on Al Mankhool Road, which could stagger the flow of traffic on to Sheikh Rashid Road. Although, those lights have yet to come into effect.

Earlier in a statement, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RTA, said: “The Sheikh Rashid Road-Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange is part of a major project for upgrading Al Shindagha roads network.

“The new project is situated at the crossing of Shaikh Rashid Road heading northward towards Al Shindagha, with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road heading towards the junction of Kuwait Street and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road.

“The project will result in smooth and free traffic movement from the Trade Centre Roundabout to the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road with Kuwait Street, where a two-lane bridge will be constructed in each direction.

“The project also includes the construction of a tunnel on the Sheikh Rashid Road in the direction of the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Al Mankhool Road, comprising four lanes in each direction.”

Works will also include lighting, pavements, irrigation conduits, sewage system and rainwater drainage system in addition to shifting and protecting utility lines such as electricity, water and telecommunications.

Al Tayer has assured Dubai residents the RTA has set out a comprehensive plan for smooth traffic flow at traffic diversions.

He added: “Accordingly, the engineering design of the temporary diversion conforms to the standards of permanent roads specifications in terms of engineering design, levelling, asphalt and sufficient lighting consistent with the designed speed of the road to ensure the safety of road users.

“The same number of lanes will be maintained in the diversion to avoid any negative impacts on the normal traffic flow, additional snarls or delays during construction works.”

Last month, the RTA opened the new Wafi Interchange linking Sheikh Rashid Road with Oud Metha Road.