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Built using latest techniques of blasting and tunnel building, each of the five tunnels also has a 1.1-metre-wide walkway. Image Credit: WAM

Sharjah: A trip to the blue waters of the UAE’s East Coast will be much shorter from next year when the new Khorfakkan Road will be ready.

Cutting down the Sharjah-Khorfakkan journey from 90 minutes to 45 minutes, the new 89-km road winds down the Hajar mountains, cutting through five tunnels.

On Saturday, His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the five tunnels, the longest of which is the 2.7-km-long Sidra Tunnel.

Considered the longest covered tunnel in the Middle East, Sidra Tunnel along with the four others is 7.3-metres wide and serves four lanes of traffic.

Each tunnel also has a 1.1-metre wide walkway.

Part of the Dh5.5 billion project is the Al Rafisa Dam Rest Area, which has 82,280 square metre wide lake alongside a park, complete with play areas, picnic spots, parking, a restaurant and a mosque. 

The lake will also have boating and other recreational facilities.

Along with the tunnels, a significant portion of the road works have been done, while the remaining work is expected to be finished by the end of next year.

The 89km four lane road, starts from Dafta Interchange near Masafi, on the old Fujairah road and cuts through the mountains, on its way to Khorfakkan.

The inauguration was made in the presence of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

 

 

 

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Dr Shaikh Sultan takes a tour of the Al Sidra Tunnel after inaugurating five tunnels on new Khor Fakkan Road. Image Credit: WAM
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The newly opened Al Rafisa Dam rest area which houses a 10,684-square-metre park with three play areas, indoor and outdoor picnic spots, a restaurant and a mosque. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
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