Region's first 'diamond' inter-change in UAE

Residents and visitors to the area around Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi will have better access to and from this zone as the Dh77 million Dalma Mall Road Improvement Project has been completed.

As a first in the region, the Dalma Mall Intersection was converted into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), an innovative approach in transportation design solutions. Existing bridges and ramps were modified and nearby roundabouts converted to signalised DDI intersections.

The E30 highway not only connects Mohammad bin Zayed City to Mussafah Industrial Area near Dalma Mall, it has become the main road leading to a number of new communities, making the area one of the fastest growing areas of the capital with high traffic congestion especially during peak hours.

With the aim of reducing traffic congestion the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi (DoT) has carried out several road improvements.

In addition to reducing traffic congestion, an appropriate exit from Dalma Mall will soon be opened as part of Stage 2 of the project, explained Khalid Rashid Deemas Al Suwaidi, Surface Transport Advisor and Acting General Director of Main Roads at the DoT.

“The area is one of the fastest growing locations, particularly Dalma Mall and neighbouring areas. The DoT’s studies for the area aimed to ease the traffic congestion whilst helping motorists reaching their destinations faster and easier,” he said.

The modifications will result in improving traffic flow around the mall, increased road capacity, relieving congestion whilst boosting safety. The modification and upgrading of roads will ease the access to and from the mall and neighbouring areas including Mohamed bin Zayed City and ICAD. The DoT has also studied the pedestrians’ needs in the area and has planned for construction of several bridges.