Dubai: The construction of local road projects in three residential districts - Al Khawaneej 1, Al Barsha 1, 2 and 3, and Al Warqa 1, 2, 3 and 4, has been approved.

The Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, recently approved the projects.

Al Tayer said the construction of road projects in residential areas stemmed from RTA's keenness to develop and improve roads network to address the needs of urbanisation and population growth in the Emirate; an integral part of RTA's Vision of providing Safe and Smooth Transport for All.

"The local roads project in Al Khawaneej 1, which is one of the densely populated areas witnessing continuously growing urbanisation rate as high as 65 per cent and is still on the rise, includes completing the design and construction of unpaved (main and local) roads in the remaining parts of Al Khawaneej 1 Residential Area, (Area No. 281) as well as lighting works. This area covers 425 hectares with roads spanning 38km.

"Construction works in the project are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2011, with an estimated duration of 16 months," said Al Tayer.

He said the local roads project in Al Barsha 1, 2 and 3, spans an area of 1300 hectares and covers the construction of local roads and lighting works stretching 115km, construction of new 63km-long roads, and improvements to the existing roads in a sector of a total length of 52km.

The importance of constructing this project is underscored by the construction and urbanisation rate exceeding 85 per cent in this area and the presence of commercial complexes and centres.

Construction works in the project are set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2011 and continue over 30 months approximately.

The local roads project in Al Warqa 1, 2, 3, and 4, which covers an area of 1,154 hectares, includes the construction of roads and lighting works stretching 118km, construction of new roads extending 92km, and carrying out improvements to the existing roads over an area spanning 26km.

"Al Warqa is witnessing a uniquely active urban movement, side by side with the Mohammad Bin Rashid Housing Establishment project which has more than 500 residential units, such that urbanisation percentage has reached nearly 65 per cent in the area. The project will start in the fourth quarter of 2011, and take about 30 months to complete.

"RTA is currently constructing a number of local roads in Nad Al Sheba, Al Mizhar and Muhaisna. The completion rate of local roads in Nad Al Sheba 2 has hit 75 per cent, and all works are expected to be completed in the first half of the current year."

"The project is part of roads development phases in Nad Al Sheba 2 located between Al Manama Road, Al Ain Road and Emirates Road, and includes the construction of 14km-long local roads, two roundabouts, and pavement of alleyways in addition to lighting and drainage works.

"Construction works of local roads in the Al Mizhar 1 and Muhaisna 1 have reached their concluding stages, with a completion rate reaching 96 per cent, and all construction works are slated for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2011," Al Tayer said.

"The project also includes the construction and maintenance of secondary arterial roads extending up to 7km, collector roads extending 8km, and local roads extending 46km, in addition to the construction of roadside parking spaces, and rehabilitation of some roads in addition to other works related to road planning, traffic signs and light signals," he said.