Dubai: RTA Awards Contract for Phases 3 and 4 of Roads to Expo Project, Costing AED 1.3B
Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to immediately start the construction of roads and transport projects related to Expo 2020, the Roads and Transport Authority has awarded two contracts for phases 3 and 4 of Roads leading to Expo 2020 Project. The project is intended to ensure a smooth flow of traffic to serve Expo visitors as well as future projects in the area.
The project covers the improvement of two intersections of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street with both Jebel Ali Lehbab Street and Al Yalayes Street in addition to the construction of two flyovers at the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street near the Dubai Investment Park. The Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street will be widened from two to five lanes in each direction. Total construction costs of these two phases are in the order of AED 1.3 billion.
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, said, “The improvement of roads network leading to Expo is one of the biggest road projects currently undertaken by the RTA to meet the needs of hosting Expo 2020 in Dubai. Due to the immense nature of the project, it had been divided into six phases to ensure the delivery of all works on the prescribed timeline, well before the opening of Expo.”
Phase 3
“Phase 3 of the project covers upgrading the intersection of Jebel Ali Lehbab Street with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street by converting it into a flyover, thus ensuring free traffic movement in all directions. It involves upgrading Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street along with collector (service) roads through the addition of five bridges, and four turns. It also includes the construction of ramps to ensure a smooth flow of traffic from Jebel Ali-Lehbab Street in the north to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street in the direction of Dubai-Al Ain Street. These ramps will ensure entry to Expo from Jebel Ali-Lehbab Street to the south, and exit from Expo through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street to Jebel Ali-Lehbab Street to the north. They also provide an exit from Expo through a turn on the flyover along the extension of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street in the direction of the junction,” continued Al Tayer.
“The Project also includes the improvement of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street in the direction of Al Maktoum International Airport through the construction of a new street of five lanes in each direction. The street extends 2 km from the intersection of Jebel Ali-Lehbab Street with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street in the direction of Al Maktoum International Airport. It also involves increasing the number of lanes of Jebel Ali-Lehab Street from four to six lanes in each direction over a 4-km sector. Under Phase 3, the total length of bridges to be constructed is 3 km, and the total length of roads is 6.5 km,” he explained.
Phase 4
“Phase 4 encompasses the improvement of three junctions and the widening of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street from two to five lanes in each direction over a 4.6 km stretch. The intersection of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street with Al Yalayes Street will be transformed into a flyover ensuring free traffic flow in all directions. The step involves adding four bridges to the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and collector (service) roads along with two turns. It also includes the construction of direct ramps to ensure a smooth traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street westward to Al Yalayes Street northward in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road. And from Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street eastward to Al Yalayes Street southward in the direction of Emirates Road,” added Al Tayer.
“The second and third junctions will be improved through the construction of two bridges of two lanes in each direction on the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street with signalised junctions for the traffic serving Dubai Investment Park complex. The project also includes the construction of a service road of two lanes in each direction on the Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Al Yalayes Street and improving the entries of the Dubai Investmen\]t Park from Al Yalayes Street. Phase 4 will witness the construction of bridges spanning 2 km and roads extending 10.3 km in total,” concluded the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
It is noteworthy that the RTA has developed a master plan to meet the requisites of Dubai’s hosting Expo 2020 aimed at ensuring safe and smooth mobility for visitors to Expo and events. Projects underway include Route 2020 for extending the Red Line of Dubai Metro as well as public transport routes and means including buses and taxis.
