Ras Al Khaimah: The 30km Ras Al Khaimah Ring Road was officially inaugurated on Wednesday.

The Dh410-million road connects the southern and northern regions of the emirate and it begins, geographically, as an extension of Emirates Road from its intersection with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road to Ras Al Khaimah-Shaam road on the way to Musandam in Oman.

Dr Abdullah Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, opened the road in the presence of Major-General Ali Abdullah Bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ras Al Khaimah Police, and a number of police officers and local government officials.

This was the first of the two-phase project and the ministry will continue working on a number of bridges as part of the second phase (without affecting the traffic movement). The remaining works are expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year.

“Infrastructure is one of the most important sectors for President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, because of its role in advancing economic and social progress while keeping pace with the UAE’s urban and cultural development,” the minister said.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development with the follow-up of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, seeks, through its strategy, to develop and provide a modern and safe road network to meet the needs of citizens, residents and visitors, Dr Al Nuaimi said.

He said the new road would enhance the road network in the northern region and will play a prominent role in the economic and social progress in the UAE.

The RAK Ring Road consists of three lanes in each direction and will have a designated speed limit of 140km/h. It has many crossing points, in addition to 10 intersections.

The newly opened road will help ease traffic jams inside Ras Al Khaimah by 30 per cent as trucks will be using it, officials said. Major intersections in Ras Al Khaimah will also see a reduction in traffic congestion by at least 40 per cent.

The ring road will also contribute to bringing down traffic accidents as it would free up other roads of trucks.