Sunday, Sep 06, 2015
Dubai: Motorists have been urged to be extra cautious as a new diversion is in place on Shaikh Rashid Road, heading from Al Garhoud bridge towards Abu Dhabi.
The temporary detour, which is around a kilometre long, opened on Saturday as part of the Wafi Interchange Improvement Project.
Though the detour has maintained the existing number of lanes, traffic heading from Al Garhoud bridge towards Shaikh Rashid and Shaikh Zayed roads is divided into two parts, with tracks going straight and two more tracks diverted. However, all four tracks head towards Shaikh Zayed Road.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has set up signboards that clearly say all tracks lead to Abu Dhabi, however, the sudden diversion and an exit sign near the diversion is causing confusion among motorists.
“People are braking suddenly when they see the exit sign right when the diversion starts. The exit sign is creating confusion and motorists on the third and fourth tracks are trying to cut into other tracks, creating traffic jams,” said a motorist.
According to RTA, the diversion is required to clear the way for carrying out the remaining construction work of the flyover on Shaikh Rashid Road as well as completing roads and utility works alongside Wafi City under the Wafi Interchange Improvement Project.
“The traffic diversion on Shaikh Rashid Road is planned to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. The engineering design of the temporary diversion conforms with the standards of permanent roads specifications in terms of design, levelling, asphalt and sufficient lighting consistent with the designed speed of the road to ensure the safety of road users,” said Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
She added that the same number of lanes have been maintained in the diversion to avoid any negative impacts on the normal traffic flow.
Confirming that work on Wafi Interchange is progressing according to schedule, she called on road users to be attentive, observe directional signs, and stick to the speed limit.
A three-lane bridge from Oud Metha Road leading to Shaikh Rashid Road is under construction to ease traffic in the area.
The Dh88 million project called Wafi Bridge is being constructed from Latifa Hospital in the direction of Shaikh Rashid Road and from there to Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Saada Road, leading to the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The new bridge will have a capacity of 3,300 vehicles per hour. The construction of this new project is part of the RTA’s endeavours to improve and upgrade roads in Dubai as per the Master Plan of roads in the emirate.
“Wafi Interchange is a vital traffic link with several main roads as it intersects with Shaikh Rashid Road and Oud Metha Road. Moreover, this interchange is currently experiencing heavy traffic as a result of the massive number of vehicles using it and the overlap with the curves of the interchange,” said Maitha.
The project is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of next year.
By Shafaat Shahbandari Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2015. All rights reserved.
