Relief for Sharjah-Dubai commuters; major road intersection nearly ready

72 percent of construction work has been completed on a new intersection between Al Khawaneej and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan roads in Dubai.

That's according to His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The tunnel is expected to be opened to traffic in March 2021.

Overall, almost 25% of work has been completed on the entire Al Khawaneej Road Improvement Project.

As part of the project, three main intersections on Al Khawaneej and Al Amardi Streets are being improved, while additional service roads extending to 23 km are being built along both roads.
 

Video: The completion rate of construction works in the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads had reached 72%. The improvement of Al Khawaneej Roads is one of the key strategic projects for improving the links between #Dubai and Sharjah.#RTA pic.twitter.com/FjGQSxzlsf

— RTA (@rta_dubai) November 21, 2020

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The improvement of Al Khawaneej Corridor is one of the key projects to enhance traffic movement between Dubai and Sharjah.

It's being done by upgrading vertical roads that link with Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road up to the Airport Street.

"Upon completion, it will slash the travel time between Emirates Road and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from 25 minutes to 9 minutes, and the waiting time at the junction of Al Khawneej-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads (Al Khawaneej roundabout) from 330 seconds to 45 seconds. It will double the capacity of the junction from 8,000 vehicles per hour to 16,000 vehicles per hour. Replacing the roundabout at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Al Amardi Roads by a surface junction will halve the waiting time from 120 seconds to 60 seconds,” explained Al Tayer.

“The project works include the construction of a tunnel of three lanes in each direction extending 680 metres at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads. Works also include the construction of a surface signalised junction to ensure free and safe traffic flow on Al Khawaneej Road, and replacing the existing roundabout at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Al Amardi Streets by a signalised junction. Al Amardi-Emirates Roads junction will be upgraded to a flyover of two lanes in each direction extending 201 metres above  Emirates Road in the direction of Al Awir.

“The project components include the construction of a footbridge near the Arabian Centre at Al Khawaneej Road, service roads extending 23 km along Al Khawaneej and Al Amardi Roads, and upgrading three junctions at Algiers Street to signalised junctions. Other works include street lights, rainwater drainage system, directional signs, road markings, and protection works for road safety,” explained Al Tayer.

The Improvement of Al Khawaneej Road Project follows the completion and opening of all phases of Improvements of the Airport Street Project involving upgrading four intersections: Rashidiya, Nad Al Hamar, Marrakech, and Casablanca.

The project had improved traffic flow, reduced the waiting time and sorted out congestions caused by overlapping traffic.

The opening of the Improvements of the Airport Street Project came after the completion and opening of the Improvement of Tripoli Road Project providing a link between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

The opening of this 12-km road eased the traffic flow, improved the entry points of Al Warqaa and Mirdif along Tripoli Road and enhanced the safety along the corridor.