The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has said that HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has endorsed the designs of several road and bridge network projects valued at around AED 1.4bn.

The project portfolio constitutes Phase 4 of the Al Khail Road Improvement Project, the Al Wasl Road Improvement Project, and the Trade Center Roads Improvement Project.

The Al Wasl Road Improvement Project covers a sector extending 11km of Al Wasl Road, starting from the intersection with Al Safa Road and terminating at the intersection with Al Manara Road.

The project involves converting four existing signalised junctures into free two-lane underpasses in each direction extending along Al Wasl Road. This applies to the intersection of Al Wasl Road with Al Safa, Al Hadiqa, Umm Al Sheef and Al Manara Roads, in addition to some improvements on the intersecting roads.

This project reportedly contributes towards RTA’s efforts to enhance the efficiency of the road and improve traffic flow, eventually slashing the transit time along the road. Construction works, which needs 14 months to complete, will start in the last quarter of 2009.

Phase 4 of Al Khail Road Project includes replacing the existing R/A at the intersection with Umm Suqeim Road by a free multi-level road to ensure smooth traffic flow from all directions. It also covers widening of Al Khail Road from 4 to 6 lanes. The new intersection will provide easy access and better traffic flow in Barsha South, Al Qouz Ind area and other neighboring regions.

The project involves relocating and protecting the installations & utility lines impacted by the free interchange, together with the associated landscaping works.

Delivery time of the project has been cut to 13 months so as to synchronise this phase with the opening of the first three phases.

Owing to the large scale of Al Khail Road Project, RTA has divided it into six phases and works are going on in three phases, with an estimated cost of AED 1.8bn.

Road Improvements at Trade Center Project comprises the construction of exits from Zaabeel 2 Rd in the direction of Sh. Zayed Rd towards Abu Dhabi; in order to ease the traffic flow. It also comprises introduction of a traffic signal instead of the existing R/A in order to accommodate most of the traffic in the area. It provides free right turns and U-turns in most of the approaches of the junctions.

This design can minimise the number of light signals from a 6-phase signal to a 3-phase signal. RTA is currently undertaking Trade Center Bridges Project, which will provide a direct link between Al Garhoud Bridge and the Western Parallel Road. The overall cost of the project is AED 690m.