Residents of Dubai and Sharjah have something to look forward to as a new project linking the two emirates has been opened on Saturday, April 17, slashing travel time from 25 minutes to 9 minutes, according to the latest update from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
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The Al Khawaneej Roads Improvement Project includes an underpass of three lanes in each direction at the junction of Al Khawaneej and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads. It also includes a bridge of two lanes in each direction at the junction of Al Amardi and Emirates Roads in the direction of Al Awir.
New Dubai-Sharjah Traffic Link Reduces Travel Time to 9 Minutes
According to Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, “The Improvement of Al Khawaneej Roads Project is one of the key strategic projects for improving the links between Dubai and Sharjah through the improvement of vertical roads linking with the Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road up to the Airport Street,” the Khaleej Times reported.
“The project contributes to slashing the travel time between the Emirates Road and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from 25 minutes to 9 minutes, and the waiting time at the junction of Al Khawaneej-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads (Al Khawaneej Roundabout) from 330 seconds to just 45 seconds,” he noted.
“It also doubles up the capacity of the junction from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour, and halves the waiting time at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Al Amardi Roads, which has been upgraded from a roundabout to a surface junction, from 120 seconds to 60 seconds,” Al Tayer explained.
In line with this, Mr Al Tayer said work is currently underway to construct a footbridge near Arabian Centre at Al Khawaneej Road, service roads extending 23 km along Al Khawaneej and Al Amardi Roads, as well as additional improvements in three junctions at Algiers Street which will be upgraded to signalised junctions.
Other construction underway include streetlights, rainwater drainage system, directional signs, road markings, and protection works for road safety.
With this development, traffic flow had immensely improved, reduced the waiting time and sorted out congestions caused by overlapping traffic.
This follows the opening of the Tripoli Road Improvement Project providing a link between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
The opening of this 12-km road improved traffic flow, eased the entry points of Al Warqaa and Mirdif along Tripoli Road and enhanced the safety along the corridor.
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