Dubai: Traffic on the Al Wasl-Hadeeqa Road intersection near al Safa Park has eased considerably, following the opening of a multi-tier flyover near Al Safa Park, motorists say.
The tailbacks that earlier extended for several hundred metres on Al Wasl Road as well as on Hadeeqa Road are non-existent as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has redesigned the junction.
The multi-tier flyover allows for unhindered movement of vehicles from Al Athar Road and Al Wasl Road (north) heading to Hadeeqa Road and Al Wasl Road (south).
The ramp feeding traffic from Jumeirah and Al Athar Road to Hadeeqa Street had opened in March, while another ramp linking Al Wasl Road to Al Athar Road opened last Friday.
Friday also saw the opening of the Al Wasl Road flyover over the Dubai Water Canal, ensuring non-stop traffic flow at the Al Safa Park junction.
At the ground level of the al Safa Park junction, the traffic lights, which were the cause of unending tailbacks, have now been removed.
Coming from Shaikh Zayed Road and Hadeeqa Road, a free right is allowed for traffic heading to Al Wasl road north/south. Vehicles heading north of Al Wasl Road can move on straight, while those intending to head south have to take a U-turn under the flyover after taking the free right from Hadeeqa Road at the junction.
Traffic coming from Al Wasl Road (south) also have a free right towards Hadeeqa Road, making the entire intersecton free of traffic lights.
Tired of facing daily snarls, motorists from the vicinity have welcomed the changes.
“I just can’t believe it’s over. I thought it would never end. The Al Safa traffic junction was a major hurdle for me on the way to work. Now my journey time is halved as I just fly through the flyover. Can’t ask for more,” said Mohammad Ali, who uses Al Wasl Road daily to and from work.
In the long run, once all the detours are removed and all the related road works are completed, the interchange is expected to have a positive impact on traffic flow in the entire neighbourhood.
For Maureen Anderson, who works at a spa located on Al Wasl Road, the trip to and from work used to be a nightmare.
“The tailback during the morning peak hours used to stretch from Shaikh Zayed Road interchange two to Al Safa Park junction and it sometimes took 30 minutes to cover a stretch of 500 metres. I thank God and RTA it’s over. Though there are still some diversions and the roadworks are far from over, the traffic is a breeze now and I only hope it will get better,” said Anderson.
The Al Wasl Road flyover is part of phase two of the Dubai Canal project. Phase two also includes a flyover on Jumeirah Road, which is near completion and is set to open in mid-July.
A major flyover is also under construction on Shaikh Zayed Road as part of phase one of the canal project, which was partly opened for traffic earlier this year and the second part, for traffic towards Abu Dhabi, is set to open in early July.
All three flyovers, rising up to eight metres, allow for the canal to flow underneath, enabling boats and yachts to navigate unhindered.
Once all flyovers are ready, excavation of the canal, which is part of phase three, will move underneath the flyovers.
Phase three also includes construction of 10 marine transit stations, and reclaiming works to build an artificial semi-island along Jumeirah Park, which will double the length of Jumeirah Park beach, increase the park area, and allow for more recreational activities.
