Dubai powers infrastructure

Dubai: Multi-billion infrastructure projects in Dubai are underway in full gear despite the global economic downturn.

Three major road projects worth Dh2.9 billion were approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, according to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Also, work has begun to expand the combined passenger capacity at Dubai's two airports - Dubai International and Dubai World Central - to 240 million, from the 190 million initially planned, a top official told Gulf News.

In January, the Dubai government announced a 42 per cent increase in its infrastructure spending for 2009. The RTA projects, approved by Shaikh Mohammad, include upgrades of Al Wasl Road, Al Khail Road and Umm Suqeim Road.

New underpasses will be built on Al Wasl Road and the number of lanes on Al Khail Road will be increased from the existing four to six in each direction, in addition to roundabouts being replaced by interchanges. The Trade Centre roundabout will also be replaced by flyovers and a signalised intersection to ease congestion.

Shaikh Mohammad has directed the RTA to complete the projects on schedule and follow all safety standards, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, said. Initial work has already begun on one of the projects and construction of the others will follow this year.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport's Concourse 3 - the last major project at the region's biggest aviation hub - will be completed by the end of 2011, which will help increase its passenger handling capacity to 80 million from the initially planned 70 million, Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

When completed, the airport will have three terminals and three concourses, two mega terminals for cargo, an airport free zone, an expo centre with three exhibition halls, a major aircraft maintenance hub and a dedicated flower centre to handle perishable goods movement.

The Dubai Government is investing Dh15 billion for the expansion of Dubai International, and the initial cost for the development of Dubai World Central - the world's largest integrated aviation hub - has been estimated at Dh30 billion.

Griffiths confirmed that the first phase of Dubai World Central would be completed by June 2010. The completion of the entire Dubai World Central airport project could thus be pushed back beyond 2015.

"I'm happy that the long term vision of Shaikh Mohammad is moving forward and the government is investing to realise the vision that will reinforce Dubai's position as a global hub," he said.

Passenger traffic at Dubai International has been growing by double digits year-on-year since the 1990s, when the Dubai Government began investing heavily in the emirate's aviation infrastructure to manage the growing traffic, led by the growth of Emirates airline.

It is a very important project to enhance Dubai's economy activity and infrastucture.
Zulqarnain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 26, 2009, 12:37