Dubai: It seems the wait for people living and working around First Al Khail Road for a pedestrian crossing behind Jumeirah Lakes Towers will be over soon as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) begins work to build a signalised crossing.
The development comes following a fatal accident on First Al Khail Road late last year, when a Filipina was run over by a speeding car while she was jaywalking, for lack of an alternative crossing.
The accident happened on December 11, when Arien Paez, like hundreds are forced to do daily, was jaywalking on her way back home from work.
Gulf News reported the accident and had highlighted the disaster waiting to happen, much before the accident took place.
Following the accident, the RTA had built a fence in the middle of the road, stopping people from risking their lives, but people were left with no option to cross the road.
“There is no crossing for at least more than a kilometre in either direction on the road. People using the Metro for work and heading back home have to walk to catch the train, but after the fence was built we were stranded,” said Abdul Majeed, who risks his life daily crossing to road on his way for work.
He is among hundreds who are left with no option but to jaywalk, but after fencing of the road that option was taken away.
“After they fenced the open area on the road that was used for crossing, only a small space was left open, about two metres wide, which some pedestrians are now using to cross but still unsafely. Most people have been forced to make alternative arrangements like using a cab, hitching a ride with colleagues or hiring private transportation,” said Mike Al Samman, a senior executive at a leading firm based in the area.
When contacted, the developer of the area, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, said building a crossing on the road is the responsibility of RTA.
“First Al Khail Road is an RTA road. We are told construction is proceeding ahead of schedule, and is expected to be completed soon,” said a spokesperson from DMCC
However, taking heed of the repeated demands from people, RTA has now started work on building a signalised crossing.
“RTA has started building a signalised pedestrian crossing for the safety of pedestrians, which will be completed by the end of April,” said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
She added that the Authority takes traffic safety matters very seriously and has been doing so for a number of years.
“Our priority for traffic safety is reflected in the reduction in road accident fatality levels from 22 fatalities per 100,000 people in 2007 to four fatalities per 100,000 people in 2014. The reduction in pedestrian fatality levels is even better, dropping from 9.5 fatalities per 100,000 people in 2007 to one fatality per 100,000 people last year,” she added.
She also said that Dubai now sits among the top five cities in the world as far as traffic safety is concerned.
A relieved office-goer said: “RTA has promised that all the work will be done by May 15 but that remains to be seen. I hope the crossing will be ready soon as it will help a lot of people going back and forth daily.”
