5 new bridges to accommodate 15,000 vehicles per hour in Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

In response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE Ruler of Dubai to develop the infrastructure of the road network and various public transport systems to meet the needs of urban development and population growth, and under the guidance of Sheikh Hamdan Vin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project.

The roundabout (R/A) is one of Dubai’s key intersections, connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with 5 main streets: Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street, and Al Mustaqbal Street, and will cost Dhs696.414 million.

The scope of the project includes constructing 5 bridges spanning 5,000 metres in total and converting the existing roundabout into a surface intersection to improve the flow of traffic inbound from Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street, and the southbound traffic from Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road.

"The project includes the construction of five bridges providing free-flowing traffic in various directions, namely: A two-lane bridge will be constructed on the upper level extending 1,000 metres from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street towards Deira, with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour. Two two-lane bridges extending 2,000 metres connecting Sheikh Rashid Street with 2nd of December Street, with a capacity of 6,000 vehicles per hour. Additionally, two two-lane bridges extending 2,000 metres from Al Majles Street to 2nd of December Street to connect Al Mustaqbal Street with 2nd of December Street, with a capacity of 6,000 vehicles per hour," elaborated Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA.

It will also facilitate free-flowing traffic from 2nd December Street (Jumeirah and Al Satwa) to Al Majles Street leading to Al Mustaqbal Street (serving DWTC and DIFC), and from Sheikh Rashid Street to Deira. Additionally, the project will ensure a smooth traffic flow on the upper-level bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street.

Mattar Al Tayer

Mattar Al Tayer stated: "The Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is part of a broader development plan that also includes Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which will be awarded this November. This project will double the intersection's capacity, cut the delay time from 12 minutes to 90 seconds, and shorten the travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street from 6 minutes to just one minute."

“The project serves various key locations including the DWTC, the region’s largest venue for events and international exhibitions for over 40 years hosting major events such as GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health, and Gulfood Exhibitions among others. The project also serves the DIFC, a leading financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, as well as communities like Zabeel, Al Satwa, Karama, Jafiliya, and Mankhool, benefiting more than half a million residents and visitors,” continued Al Tayer.

Concurrent projects

Al Tayer added: “The DWTC Roundabout Development Project is being undertaken concurrently with another road development project in the area. RTA has recently awarded the contract for Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which includes upgrading four major intersections and constructing bridges spanning 4,300 metres together with roads extending 14km. This project serves residential and new development areas with a projected population of over 420,000 people by 2030. It is expected to reduce the travel time from 20 minutes to 5 minutes and improve the traffic flow by 75%. Additionally, the project coincides with the opening of all phases of Al Khail Road Development Project, which includes the construction of bridges extending 3,300 metres and the widening of lanes running 6,820 metres across seven different locations along Al Khail Road. This project is expected to reduce the travel time by 30% and increase the capacity of current intersections and bridges by approximately 19,600 vehicles per hour."