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Initiative poised to ease traffic snarls
Traffic snarls in Dubai may ease over the next three years when several roads and transport projects are completed as the government makes improvements to transport infrastructure.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
- The Dubai Metro network will comprise the Red Line and Green Line. The two lines will total nearly 70 kilometres.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Dubai: Traffic snarls in Dubai may ease over the next three years when several roads and transport projects are completed.
Although many projects are already underway, Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, made improvements to transportation infrastructure a significant part of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015.
Among signaling public transport out for special attention, he also said that the RTA would be given an annual budget of Dh10 billion to meet the emirate's traffic and transport issues and to keep with the blistering pace of development.
There seems to be little question that traffic woes are a significant problem not only for individuals, but for businesses as well.
According to a study conducted by the RTA, traffic congestion in Dubai causes an estimated economic loss of Dh 4.6 billion every year.
"There are 541 cars per 1000 residents in Dubai, and if it continues in the same trend there will be 1.57 million cars by 2010 and 2.6 million cars by 2020," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The number of registered vehicles in Dubai has already exceeded 700,000 by the end of 2006.
But the RTA has taken a number of measures to combat congestion such as increasing the existing road network capacity adding some 500 kms of new roads. Public transport - including the Dubai Metro, which is already under constructions - should also provide effective alternatives to personal vehicles.
PROJECTS
Dubai Creek lanes to be raised to 48
- Expansion of Shaikh Zayed Road; Al Ittihad Road; the Parallel Roads; Al Khail Road; Emirates Road; and the Outer Bypass Road.
- The first phase of the Dh15.5 billion Dubai Metro will open in September 2009 - Dh1 billion is being spent on a water transport project.
- Starting next July a toll system will be introduced on Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Garhoud Bridge.
- RTA is also carrying out plans to increase number of lanes on crossings over Dubai Creek from existing 19 to 38 lanes in 2007 and 45 in 2008 to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
- With the construction of a new Al Garhoud Bridge, one floating bridge and two other planned bridges, the creek will have a total of seven crossings by 2009.
- Currently, there are three crossings, the Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bride and Al Garhoud Bridge with a total of 19 lanes.
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