Dubai: The First Interchange on Shaikh Zayed Road will be opened completely by the end of next month, said a senior official.
The remaining work on the First Interchange, one of the largest interchanges in Dubai, will be completed in four stages, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The RTA will open today the main bridge on Shaikh Zayed Road, ensuring traffic flow from the Financial Centre Road (Upper and Lower Decks) heading towards Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi.
It will also ensure the smooth flow of traffic from Al Safa Road to Shaikh Zayed Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi.
On Saturday the RTA will open the widened part of Shaikh Zayed Road near the Burj Khalifa tower in the direction of the Financial Centre Road.
Tunnel
In the first half of January, the RTA will open a tunnel and a road link connecting Shaikh Zayed Road with the Dubai International Financial Centre.
By the end of January, all roads, bridges and tunnels which are part of the project will be completed. In the final stage the RTA will open the main tunnel parallel to Shaikh Zayed Road linking the Al Satwa and Al Wasl areas passing beneath Al Safa Road.
Al Tayer said the First Interchange comprises bridges extending more than three kilometres and tunnels measuring 850 metres. The total cost of the project is Dh617 million.
He said the new interchange will provide free traffic flow in all directions linking Shaikh Zayed Road and the Upper and Lower Decks of the Financial Centre Road.
Surrounding roads
"The importance of this project is underlined by its vital location on Shaikh Zayed Road and in the vicinity of Burj Khalifa and the Financial Centre districts.
"It links these districts with the main surrounding roads such as Shaikh Zayed Road, Financial Centre Road and Al Safa Road — an area considered the most congested and important business zone on Shaikh Zayed Road," Al Tayer added.
He said the RTA would continue the construction of key and arterial roads in Dubai as part of its strategy to ensure safe and smooth transport for all.
