2009 Updates on road, bridge works in Dubai and metro system

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As the UAE emirate gradually emerges as a global business haven due to avant-garde infrastructure and a business-friendly clime, Dubai is also rapidly metamorphosing into a world-class city thanks to the progressive and smart strategies initiated by the powers-that-be.

Road projects Some of the road projects in Dubai are on the verge of completion. Mostly, by the end of June 2009, Dubai would complete 11 key road works. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is spending Dh3.8 billion (US$1.03bn) on the projects, which include phase one of the busy Ittihad Road, Dubai Bypass Road, the upper deck of the Financial Centre Road, Al Nahda-Beirut Interchange, Mirdif Bridge, Jumeirah Lakes Interchange, Al Barsha road projects and several other roads in the city.

Construction on the Dh605m upper-deck flyover of the Financial Centre Road that passes between Burj Dubai and Dubai Mall will also be finished in June. It will include a three-lane motorway towards Jumeirah and five lanes in the direction of the Business Bay Crossing and Al Khail Road serving Nad al Sheba, Al Ain and Emirates roads. Work on the Al Sufouh Roads Network project initiated in September 2006 is also progressing smoothly. The project includes construction of a road to link Al Sufouh with Dubai Marina and expansion of the existing Dubai Marina Bridge to one lane to three lanes in each direction.

Bridge works Dubai will also witness some of the most innovative and unique bridges in the future. The first one to change the outlook of traveling in Dubai would be Sixth Crossing at Dubai Creek. It will be a landmark bridge over the creek linking new residential and commercial property developments in the city. The project has the distinction of being the biggest ever single road project launched by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The crossing will link Al Jaddaf and Business Bay at Bur Dubai with the road separating The Lagoons and Dubai Festival City. It will also provide entry and exit points for the Creek Island development.

Other project to grace Dubai's surface would be Murdiff Bridge Upgrade Project. Work on Murdiff Bridge Upgrade Project is all set to complete by June 2009. It comprises improvement of the existing Bridge at the Al Khawaneej - Algiers Roads Junction separating Murdiff from Muhaisneh. The old Bridge is being replaced by a flyover interchange with high traffic intake and the project entails widening of Al Khawaneej Road in a sector extending 3.4 km and Algiers Road in a sector extending 1.6 km.

• To be constructed in three phases
• Estimated to have a total cost of about Dh1 billion.
• First phase launched in February 2006 and work fully finished
• Second phase started in July 2007
• 72 kms in length linking Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and will go past Dubai's Emirates Road
• Completion rate has exceeded 95% in Phase II
• Greenery running parallel to the road

• 70 per cent complete
• Cost of the project Dh605mn
• Intake capacity of over 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions of the road
• An elevated interchange enabling traffic flow in and out of surrounding areas
• Expected to finish by end of 2009

• Work started in October 2006 
• Biggest interchange project undertaken by RTA
• Bridges extending more than 3 kms and underpass 850 metres
• Cost of the project 617bn
• Part of Ras Al Khor Crossing Project
• Ease traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road to Burj Dubai area via a flyover
• Access to service roads leading to Business Bay and surrounding areas made more easier

• Work started in October 2006
• Expected to complete by May 2009
• Located between the 5th Interchange and the Gardens Interchange
• Costs of the project Dh475 million
• The interchange links Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences on one side, and Jumeirah Lake Towers and the Palm Projects from another

• Phase I of the project at Al Barsha area to tentatively finish by March 2009
• Remaining parts to be completed by the end of 2009
• Cost of the project is Dh600 million
• It extends from Jebel Ali Racecourse up to Meydan Road with a total length of 13 km for both the Western and Eastern Parallel Roads
• Also comprises two junctions, bridges and 17 signalized junctions
• Involves other utility works such as irrigation & sewage lines apart from lighting, traffic & directional signs

• Work started in September 18 2006
• To be completed by January 30, 2008
• The total cost is Dh220 million

• The period of project construction is 4 years
• The total cost of the arch bridge is around Dh3 billion, including Dh2.5 billion for the new bridge
•  The Crossing has a length of 1600 meters and a width of 64 meters, and consists of 12 lanes; 6 lanes at each direction
• It rises 15 meters above the water level, allowing free navigation 24 hours a day
• At a later stage, the project encompasses construction of roads network with a total length of 12km, comprising 22 intersections (multi-tier, surface, and light signal-controlled)
• To have 12 lanes and track for the Green Line of Dubai Metro
• To have a capacity of around 20,000 vehicles per hour

• Commenced in October 2006
• Expected to complete by the second half of 2009
• Cost of project is Dh155 million
• To accommodate three thousand vehicles in each direction
• Once in operation, traffic jams on Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges will be effectively dealt with
• Expected to ease traffic congestion by 37% on the Al Maktoum bridge

• Expected to open in June 2009
• Cost of the project about Dh236 million
• A freeway left turn is also constructed to serve traffic well
• Pedestrian subway to ensure safe passage of those coming off Emirates Road towards Al Khawaneej Road