Parallel Roads project enters Dh1.8b phase

Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority has awarded Dh1.8 billion contracts for the construction of the biggest phase of the Dh4.4-billion Parallel Roads project.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved Phase Four, which comprises nine contracts.

"Shaikh Mohammad has also directed [the Roads and Transport Authority] RTA to expedite the construction work on the Parallel Roads as the project is aimed at easing traffic congestion on Shaikh Zayed Road and to link new developments," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.

Widening of roads

He said Shaikh Mohammad has also directed RTA to widen the road from the originally planned three lanes in each direction to four lanes on each side to accommodate more vehicles and to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

Shaikh Mohammad has also directed to step up the construction of a number of vital projects with a view to ease traffic bottlenecks in Dubai.

The Parallel Roads Project is one of the biggest projects currently being carried out by RTA.

It covers two parallel roads, each 64km long, stretching between Shaikh Rashid Road and the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

The parallel roads will run between Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

"Phase 4, which has been recently approved, extends from Al Barsha up to Techno Park involving construction of new roads with a total length of 31km. It consists of four lanes running in each direction.

"The project comprises construction of 23 flyovers, with a total length of about 8km, to ensure seamless traffic stream at all interchanges of the project," said Al Tayer.

He said the work on the other phases of the project is in progress as per schedule. Al Tayer said traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road will be eased considerably once the Parallel Roads Project is complete.

"Parallel Roads are not highways like Shaikh Zayed or Al Khail Road. These are arterial roads such as Jumeirah Road or Al Wasl Road," Al Tayer said.

There will be signals and standard cross-sections to ensure easy traffic flow and safety of pedestrians and residents. The maximum speed on these roads will not be more than 80km/hr.

"These roads will ease traffic flow on Shaikh Zayed Road and provide easy connection between various communities and developing residential and commercial areas between the two highways," Al Tayer said.

The Parallel Roads Project consists of modifying and improving two new North-South corridors - or East and West Parallel Roads - between Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

The total capacity of these two roads is expected to be 18,000 vehicles per hour. The project has been divided into nine phases.

The authority will work hand in hand with all stakeholders to minimise any short-term impact resulting from the road work since it crosses major residential and commercial developments.

Connectivity: Across the emirate

The Parallel Roads will cross the city from Shaikh Rashid Road near Zabeel Park and the Dubai World Trade Centre in the north to the Abu Dhabi border in the south.

They will pass through localities such as Zabeel, Dubai International Financial Centre, Burj Dubai, Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Al Quoz industrial and residential areas, Al Barsha, Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali Free Zone and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Technology Park.