Dubai: Around half of the Roads and Transport Authority’s 2013 budget will go towards projects including roads, bridges, pedestrian crossings and transport upgrades, Gulf News has learnt.

RTA has allotted a Dh6.242 billion budget for 2013, which is divided into an operational budget of Dh3.022 billion and capital and a projects budget of Dh3.22 billion.

The authority continues to focus on further developing the infrastructure of the emirate, with 45 new projects to begin this year, while 55 existing projects will be completed at a total of cost Dh3.15 billion.

“The Dubai Government is continuing with the development of the infrastructure, including road and transport projects, as it recognises that investment in the infrastructure is the core driver of the economy of any city worldwide,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.

“Total revenues expected for this year amount to Dh4.079 billion, an 11 per cent increase compared with 2012,” estimated Al Tayer.

Elaborating on various allocations he said that 37 per cent of RTA’s budget is allocated to the Rail Agency, 34 per cent to Traffic and Roads Agency, 15 per cent to Public Transport Agency, and the remaining 14 per cent of the budget will be allocated to the Licensing Agency as well as the Corporate Administrative and Technical Support Services.

This year, RTA will complete the construction of several projects currently under way, and undertake a number of new projects. Among the key projects to be continued this year is the Safouh Tramway which runs 14km along Sufouh Road and the initial phase of the project is slated for completion in November 2014.

Among the other major projects are the completion of internal roads in residential areas like Khawaneej 1, Barsha 1, 2 and 3, Warqaa 1, 2, 3 and 4, Al Quoz 2 and 3, Al Ghusais 3, and Hatta at a total cost of about Dh176 million.

RTA will also complete the construction of parallel roads supporting Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road and the cost of works set for this year amounts to Dh513 million.

New projects to be undertaken this year include internal roads at Muhaisnah 2 and Barsha South 1 and 2, which are part of the five-Year Plan (2012 – 2016) for paving internal roads in a number of residential areas in Dubai at an aggregate cost of about one billion dirhams.