Saturday, Apr 16, 2016

Dubai: The new three-lane Wafi interchange bridge, which stretches for 700 metres from Oud Metha to Shaikh Rashid Road, was opened to traffic by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said that the improvement of Wafi Interchange project at the intersection of Oud Metha Road and Shaikh Rashid Road primarily aims at improving the leftward traffic flow coming from Oud Metha in the north to merge with Shaikh Rashid Road to the west, through the construction of a directional ramp ensuring free and safe traffic movement.

The bridge, which has a capacity to handle about 3,300 vehicles per hour, has been undertaken as part of RTA’s efforts to improve the network of main roads in the emirate, and the project had been flagged as a key traffic hub in the master plan of the roads network in the emirate. The total cost of the project was Dh88 million.

“The new bridge was intended to ease the overlapping traffic problems experienced in the intersection, and ensure smooth vehicular movement in all directions. The traffic should now flow smoothly from Oud Metha Road heading to the east in the direction of Al Ain, and equally from Shaikh Rashid Road in the direction of Oud Metha Road to the west [Umm Hurair, Oud Metha communities],” added Al Tayer.

Integrated solutions

“Upgrading Wafi Interchange is part of the integrated solutions charted by RTA to address snarls at Bur Dubai,” Al Tayer said, “Earlier this year, RTA started construction work in the improvement of the Intersection of Shaikh Rashid Road with Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road Project, costing about Dh611 million. The project, which is part of a master project for improvement of traffic at Al Shindagha hub, is situated at the crossing of Shaikh Rashid Road [in the direction of Al Shindagha to the north), and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road (in the direction of the intersection of Al Kuwait Road and Khalifa Bin Zayed Road],” explained Al Tayer.

The project is expected to be completed in the final quarter of 2017. It comprises the construction of a bridge on Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, a tunnel at Shaikh Rashid Road, and a bridge stretching from Umm Hurair Road in the direction of Shaikh Rashid Road. The project is aimed at ensuring free traffic flow from the Trade Centre roundabout to the intersection of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road with Al Kuwait Road through a bridge of two lanes in each direction.

“The project also includes the construction of a tunnel on Shaikh Rashid Road in the direction of the intersection with Al Mankhool Road comprising four lanes in each direction, in addition to the construction of a signalised junction in the underpass. The project will ensure a free turn from main roads to subsidiary roads, and Shaikh Rashid Road through the one-lane ramp stretching from Umm Hurair Road. It also includes lighting and pavement works in addition to irrigation systems, sewage network, rainwater drainage system besides shifting and protecting utility lines such as electricity cables, water pipes and communication ducts,” Al Tayer said.

Staff Report

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