Dubai: The first phase of the Parallel Roads Improvement Project in the Godolphin vicinity, which comprises two phases costing Dh1 billion, has been opened.
The project, which is part of the strategic plan of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for easing the pressure on main roads, is one of the biggest projects currently being undertaken by the authority. It spans 108km starting from Shaikh Rashid Road in the north and ending on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
According to a press release by the Dubai Media Office on Wednesday, the project includes improving the existing intersection of Al Meydan and Al Khail Roads. Flyovers have been constructed to ease overlapping traffic and peak hour congestion. It also includes the construction of a two-lane bridge to serve the traffic coming from Al Khail Road in the direction of Sharjah passing through Al Asayel Road up to the intersection of Oud Metha Road. It also includes the provision of direct entry/exit points for the Meydan Development Project in addition to the construction of four underpasses extending 1,150 metres of which 300 metres are covered and the rest are open. The project encompasses the development and diversion of the infrastructure in the area as well as lighting and directional signage works.
“The project is undertaken as part of RTA’s master plan for upgrading the network of roads, bridges, crossings and tunnels to accommodate the growing traffic movement and improve mobility throughout Dubai,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.
The two phases of the Parallel Roads Project aim to ease traffic density by 15 per cent on the Shaikh Zayed Road between the 1st and 2nd interchanges by providing additional entry/exit points to Business Bay and Burj Khalifa District. This will raise its capacity to 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and enhance the capacity of Meydan Road. It will also shorten the journey time between Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road from 12 minutes to 2.5, and ease the pressure on the Financial Centre Road. Phase 1 and 2 of the project include the construction of bridges extending 5,665 metres and tunnels extending 2,445 metres.
Phase 2 also includes the construction of a 240-metre flyover on the intersection of Al Saada Road with Burj Khalifa Boulevard Road, a 535-metre underpass at the intersection of Al Saada and Al Khaleej Roads, and a 500-metre bridge along the extension of Al Saada Road crossing over the Dubai Water Canal (construction completed with the opening of the Dubai Water Canal). It also included the construction of a 420-metre bridge at the intersection of Al Meydan and First Al Khail Roads, a 420-metre tunnel for left-side turns from Al Saada Road to Meydan Road, and a 340-metre underpass for horse crossing at the Godolphin Stables. These works are expected to be completed by the middle of 2018.
The completion rate of works at the intersection of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road and Shaikh Rashid Road has almost reached 60 per cent. The main bridge on Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road is expected to be opened in the first half of 2018.
Key facts
3.5km
length of the bridge in the Godolphin area to help ease traffic
6,000 vehicles per hour
Targeted capacity between Meydan Street and First Al Khail Street
3-lane in each direction
Which increases to 5 lanes over the Godolphin Stables, Meydan Street and Al Quoz residential area
4 tunnels
With a total length of 1,150m
