Dubai: The busy roundabout exit leading to Shaikh Zayed Road near the Business Bay Metro station in Al Safa area has been expanded but drive-hour traffic remains choked, prompting certain road users to call for a second exit to be opened to help ease traffic flow in the area.
A new lane was opened by late on Friday by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) but long tailbacks are still common at peak drive hours, suggesting the extra lane may not be enough to reduce traffic congestion.
This is a lone exit to Shaikh Zayed Road (south-bound) between the First Interchange to Al Safa Park Interchange.
Traffic in Al Safa and Al Wasl areas has been hit hard since the introduction of detours by RTA to facilitate work on the Dubai Canal project.
The exit and the two roundabouts leading to it on Umm Amara Street have witnessed traffic jams over the past month since the introduction of detours, which are expected to last until the beginning of summer.
The detours are part of phase one of the Dubai Canal project, which involves relocation of underground services lines. Several internal roads have either been blocked or made one way, causing traffic snarls as yet unknown to the area.
The clogged exit is the only outlet to Shaikh Zayed Road now that a former single lane exit in front of Emarat Atrium has been closed.
Traffic from all corners of the area converge at the roundabout and what used to be just a few minutes’ drive through the roundabout a month ago, has now become a bumper-to-bumper drive that takes around half an hour during peak hours and lunch time.
Speaking to Gulf News, Nabeel Mohammad Saleh, Director of Roads at the RTA, had said: “The changes to the exit and an additional lane would definitely improve the traffic flow. There will be a 100 per cent improvement.”
So far, the changes don’t seem to have made any positive impact and the expected improvement is yet to be seen.
“We have been facing this situation for more than a month now. We were expecting an improvement to the situation but so far nothing has worked. It is difficult to get out quickly from the area if you are in a hurry,” said Mohammad, an Emirati, who is a resident of the area.
Temporary exit suggested
Another resident suggested that RTA should open a temporary exit from the service road, either in front of Al Mazaya Centre or opposite the Emarat Atrium, which could help ease the pressure on the clogged roundabouts.
Work on phase one of the Dubai Canal project began in September 2013, which involves diverting and relocating utility lines related to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), etisalat and Dubai Municipality.
The relocation work is expected to end before the summer starts, by when the detours will be removed.
Once the relocation work is complete, traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road will be diverted to allow for the construction of a 16-lane bridge, under which the canal will flow.
The Shaikh Zayed Road diversions are expected to begin by the end of the year, however, RTA insists the traffic flow on the city’s busiest motorway will not be affected in any way.
The Dubai Canal project is scheduled to be ready by September 2016, complete with bridges on Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road.
