Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major infrastructure initiative to enhance connectivity and alleviate traffic congestion between Dubai and Sharjah. With a budget of $102 million, this project aims to revolutionize travel between the two emirates and significantly reduce travel time.
Project Details and Objectives
The RTA has awarded a contract for the Garn Al Sabkha Street Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project.
The project includes the construction of four bridges spanning a distance of three kilometers, designed to accommodate a remarkable 17,600 vehicles per hour. The primary objective of the project is to streamline traffic between
- Sheikh Zayed Road
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road
- First Al Khail Street
- Al Asayel Street
Thereby improving connectivity in the region. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce transit distance and time by an impressive 40%, benefiting motorists traveling from Garn Al Sabkha Street to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in the direction of Al Qusais and Sharjah.
The project’s capacity to accommodate 17,600 vehicles per hour aims and to reduce transit distance and time by an impressive 40%.
Significant Reduction in Journey Times
Currently, the journey between Dubai and Sharjah takes around 20 minutes during peak hours. However, with this new project, the travel time will be slashed to just 12 minutes, resulting in a significant improvement in the commuting experience.
Moreover, the project will also reduce travel time from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Al Yalayis Road, a critical route leading to Jebel Ali Port, by a staggering 70% – from 21 minutes to a mere 7 minutes.
Four Strategic Bridges for Enhanced Connectivity
The project’s centerpiece consists of the construction of four strategically placed bridges, which will play a vital role in alleviating congestion and facilitating smoother vehicle movement. These bridges include:
- A 960-meter two-lane bridge at the intersection of Garn Al Sabkha Street and Al Asayel Street, enabling a seamless flow of 8,000 vehicles per hour between Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
- A 660-meter two-lane bridge catering to traffic from Garn Al Sabkha Street heading westwards to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, providing a route towards Al Qusais and Sharjah. This bridge can handle 3,200 vehicles per hour.
- A two-lane, 700-meter bridge designed to streamline traffic flow from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Al Yalayis Road, which leads to Jebel Ali Port. It is also capable of accommodating 3,200 vehicles per hour.
- Lastly, a two-lane link bridge spanning 680 meters, ensures smooth traffic flow from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to the service road leading to Dubai Production City. This bridge has a capacity of handling 3,200 vehicles per hour.
Additional Works and Comprehensive Development
In addition to the construction of the four bridges, the comprehensive project encompasses 7 kilometers of roadwork, surface intersection enhancements, and the installation of street lighting, traffic signals and systems, rainwater drainage networks, and irrigation system networks. These additional works will further contribute to improving the overall transportation infrastructure in the area.
