Arabian Ranches Interchange in Dubai will be open to traffic on Friday

Dubai: The Arabian Ranches Interchange opens today, the Roads and Transport Authority has said.

The interchange links Emirates Road with Umm Suqeim and Al Qudrah Roads, taking 24 months to complete at a cost of Dh410 million.

Arabian Ranches previously had a roundabout that proved to be a traffic hotspot.

Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency (RTA), said: "The previous roundabout at the intersection of Emirates Road has now been replaced by a multi-tier flyover spanning 11 bridges and one underpass. The project also entailed widening of Umm Suqeim Road to four lanes in each direction and Al Qudrah Road to two lanes in each direction."

She said the project involved diverting the path of utility lines and erection of signage at approaches to the interchange.

The Dubai-bound side of Shaikh Zayed Road is due to be closed today, from 2am to 10am between the sixth interchange and Ibn Battuta shopping mall. Traffic will be diverted between these times to the Abu-Dhabi-bound side, temporarily forming a two-way road.

Maitha said: "The road closure will be carried out in co-ordination with the General Headquarters of Dubai Police and will last for eight hours, starting from 2am to 10am of the same day to allow for construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge.

"The bridge will ensure full safety and protection for pedestrians crossing between the two sides of the road. The contracting company will place signage.