24 Jan 2007
Dubai: Motorists on Shaikh Zayed Road will not face any traffic jams once the parallel roads project is complete, said a senior official.
"We have awarded a Dh600 million contract for the first phase of the Dubai Parallel Roads project, which will run from Shaikh Rashid Road to borders of Abu Dhabi," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The two roads called the Parallel Roads will run from Zabeel Road to Dubai-Abu Dhabi borders connecting various communities between Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. The RTA has awarded the first phase to China State Company. The first phase extends from Jebel Ali Racecourse to Muscat Street with a total length of 13km.
"The total length of the Parallel Roads in each direction is about 60km starting from Shaikh Rashid Road to Dubai-Abu Dhabi borders," said Al Tayer.
There will be signals and standard cross sections to ensure easy traffic flow and safety of pedestrians and residents. The maximum speed on this road will not be more than 80km/h.
"These roads will ease traffic flow on Shaikh Zayed Road and provide easy connection between various communities and developing residential and commercial areas between the two highways."
He said the Parallel Roads Project consists of modifying and improving two new North-South corridors - or East and West Parallel Roads - between Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
The roads will cross the city from the Trade Centre area on the North to the Abu Dhabi border on the South. They will pass through localities such as Zabeel, Dubai International Financial Centre, Burj Dubai, Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Al Quoz industrial and residential areas, Al Barsha, Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali Free Zone, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Technology Park.
Work will start in the first quarter of 2007 and it will finish in phases by 2009.
By Ashfaq Ahmed
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
