JLT gridlock returns with hour-long delays; some threaten to move out

The Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) community is facing yet another traffic gridlock since morning, with angry commuters complaining of hour-long delays; some even threatened to move out of the area in frustration, calling this a “regular nuisance.”
 
While details of today’s traffic gridlock are still emerging, residents reported another set of roadworks, coupled with diversions that have caused bottlenecking near Cluster V.
 
Residents are asking why master developer Dubai Multi Commodity Center (DMCC) and the Roads and Transports Authority (RTA) did not schedule these roadworks for the weekend?
 
JK Madhavan, who lives in the above-mentioned cluster, spoke to Emirates 24|7, saying: “It takes me five to seven minutes in the morning to reach my workplace in Dubai Media City; today the commute crossed 40 minutes!
 
“I was horribly late to work thanks to the new diversion near my building, where roadworks have reduced the two-lane entry to Sheikh Zayed Road to a single lane, while the other loops you back into the JLT community.”
 
Even at 11am, three hours later, the traffic situation continued to plague residents, with another commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, saying: “Do you really need to make road works at JLT at 11am? When will this story end? Traffic is solid.”
 
Angry residents also took to Twitter, several of whom were oblivious to the reason for the new gridlock, with Emeline Omont tweeting: “What is going on in JLT this morning? Did you change the roads again?”
 
J Luu said: “DMCC, do us all a favour complete one part of JLT before ruining other parts. One hour to get out of the one-way system.”
 
Salman Khan: “Internal JLT traffic has forced me into walking to work!”
 
Shammy Shamrock wrote: “RTA was that eight weeks or eight months to complete JLT roadworks? More like two years and counting.”
 
“DMCC is it really that difficult to keep major road works for weekends?”
 
Rasha Alazem also suggested why developer DMCC and the RTA weren’t conducting roadworks over the weekend.
 
She said: “Here’s a thought DMCC, why not do all road constructions on weekends or low peak times so people can actually get to work.”
 
Another threatened to move out.
 
Jumana said: “So sick of this traffic in JLT. Thanks, late to work again. Tired of this; I’m moving!”
 
Mansoor Mughal asked the question that is on every resident’s mind: “DMCC when will the road works end? Traffic and parking issues have ruined JLT.”
 
In September this year, a new bridge was opened in JLT to ease the peak hour commute, which links the southern side of the road parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road to the northern side.
 
A statement from DMCC wasn’t available at the time.

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