Thursday, Dec 06, 2012
Ajman: A Dh25 million bridge, officially inaugurated last week, has cut commuting times to and from Ajman by about 20 minutes, motorists told Gulf News.
Shaikh Ammar Bridge, named for Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, offers a short-cut to Jurf, Humaideya and other major residential areas in Ajman.
“The inaguration of the bridge came as a National Day gift for nearby communities,” said Mohammad Javid, a Pakistani living in Ajman.
An official sign near the end of bridge, located near Sharjah Shooting Club, says it was a donation by His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, and was a project of the Roads and Infrastructure Department of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department.
The bridge joins the new Shaikh Ammar Road, which passes Tallah, Mowaihat and Rawdha neighbourhoods, with exits to each area. It joins Shaikh Zayed Road, Ajman’s main road, at the Rawdha Bridge Junction.
“The exit bridge has shaved off at least 20 minutes to my drive back from work in Dubai. It’s just what we needed,” said Emir P., a British resident of Rawdha.
“Previously, I used to drive all the way down to the Helio exit [Exit 81] on Emirates Road, take the street down into Ajman, make a U-turn at Rawdha junction, and then take gravel roads. This bridge gets me on Shaikh Ammar Road, which leads right up to my house. We’ve been waiting for this bridge for a while now.”
Pakistani commuter Mohammad Javed, 31, who lives in nearby Jaraf and works in Dubai, added: “I’m so happy the bridge is finally here, it’s letting me get back home 20 minutes earlier — traffic-free.
“I used to take the Wasit-Ajman exit on Emirates Road, near the Sharjah shooting club, but then I had to negotiate heavy traffic on the internal roads. There’s also a dirt road I used to take but it’s so bumpy I feared damage to my car.”
The development has helped some businesses along the road, said Kuni Mohammad Abdullah, a 31-year-old Indian cafeteria worker. “My shop, Karak Al Zafran [Strong Saffron Tea], has seen at least 10 per cent more business since the bridge opened. People like to drive up, get their tea and cruise around the area. When they need a refill, they come back — traffic is no issue here.”
Shaikh Ammar Road joins Emirates Road, going towards Dubai, taking stress off other exits. More exits at roundabouts on the road are under construction.
By Faisal Masudi Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
