Traffic diversion on highway hits commuters

Abu Dhabi: People commuting between Abu Dhabi and Dubai have to start their journey at least half an hour earlier to avoid traffic bottlenecks in the wake of a major diversion on Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Highway.

Click here to see the affected stretch (pdf)

Traffic on a 15-kilometre stretch under improvement between Al Raha Beach and Shahama, is being diverted for two years since yesterday and the speed limit on diversions is 60-80 km/h, said Major Engineer Hussain Ahmad Al Harthi, Head of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety Section at Traffic and Patrol Department of Abu Dhabi Police.

"To avoid bottlenecks it is better to start the journey at least half an hour earlier," he said.

Measures

Al Harthi said all steps have been taken to ensure smooth traffic.

"More engineers from the Traffic Engineering Department are entrusted to supervise the arrangements currently. More patrol teams have also been deployed. Necessary signals and sign boards have been installed and if people follow them, traffic will be smooth," he added.

"Motorists have to strictly adhere to the speed limit on the diverted road to avoid accidents," Lieutenant 1 Omar Ali Mohammad, Manager of Car Patrol on the Highways at Traffic and Patrol Department at Abu Dhabi Police, told Gulf News.

Commuters said the diversion will affect their daily schedule as it may cost them about one and a half hours a day. Advocate Mohammad Eslam, who lives in Dubai, but works in Abu Dhabi said he has to start at least 45 minutes earlier.

Abdul Rahim Bashir Ahmad, an Abu Dhabi resident, who travels alternate days to look after his businesses in both the cities, said it will be difficult to keep appointments.

"Frequency of our goods vehicles will be reduced and our passenger transport vehicles will miss the trips," said Mohammad Shaji, Manager of Abu Adil General Transport, Abu Dhabi.