Dubai: I woke up several times Tuesday night with dreadful thoughts of getting stuck in traffic for hours on Al Ittihad Road.
I was to report about the traffic situation between Sharjah and Dubai after the first phase of Al Ittihad Road Improvement Project opened on Wednesday. Precisely, the Al Qiyada Interchange (commonly known as Galadari Intechange) was opened with two extra lanes underpasses on both sides of the road.
I took two extra cups of tea, got a bottle of water and picked a new CD of Oscar winning song Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire before getting into the driving seat at around 7.45 am anticipating at least the next two hours in the traffic before reaching Gulf News office on Shaikh Zayed Road from Al Majaz district in Sharjah.
Since the construction on the Dh830 million Al Ittihad Road Project started in December 2006, I tried my best to avoid taking this road and always preferred alternative routes such as the Emirates Road, the Beirut Road and the Damascus Road - major road links between the neighbouring emirates.
But what is this, where have all the vehicles gone? I zipped through Al Ittihad Road from Al Khan Interchange in Sharjah to Al Qiyada Interchange within seven minutes - a six kilometre journey which was normally covered by motorists between one to two hours.
I could not believe it. As I passed Al Qiyada underpass, I suddenly found myself on a six-lane wide road with smooth traffic flow towards Al Garhoud Bridge.
Traffic towards Dnata side of Deira was, however, clogged while motorists also faced traffic jams on Airport Road due to the delayed second phase of the Ittihad Road Project.
I was so excited that I took a U-turn and drove back to Sharjah just to check the other side of the road.
I was pleased to note that motorists driving towards Sharjah will no longer have to take diversions behind Police Headquarters for a new two-lane underpass has been opened at Al Qiyada Interchange while going towards Sharjah. However, I faced traffic jam near Al Nahda Interchange because the opening of a three-lane new underpass while driving towards Sharjah has been delayed.
It is expected to open March 10.
Al Nahda Interchange is still a bit confusing because of the construction work and inadequate directional signs. Motorists can expect even longer delays on Al Wuhieda Road and Al Nahda Road and also on Al Ittihad Road while going toward Sharjah.
Have you noticed a difference in traffic flow? Which road do you think needs expansion?
Your comments
Although, the traffic was more than yesterday, still I reached Sheikh Zayed Road. from City Centre in an hour. Great work RTA. Thanks
Manoj Saikia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 17:12
Good to see the traffic improvements are starting to have a positive effect on travelling times from Sharjah to Dubai. However it's a pity that the standard of driving remains the same, ALARMINGLY POOR - sounding the horn in anger, flashing lights in anger, not using the indicator, talking on the phone while driving, children not wearing seat belts, children sitting on the laps of front seat passengers, adults not wearing seat belts, eating and drinking while driving, overly darkened windows (how do they see!), excess speed etc etc. And look at the bad state of some vehicles, lights not working, tyres with no tread etc. No wonder the accident and fatality rate is so high.
Alan Jarman
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 17:10
Thank you RTA and their hard working staff for making such a great difference.
My driving experience on Wednesday was a pleasure. I left Sharjah and was in Jumairah in 25 minutes and did not have to stop once.
Brilliant job and very well done.
Homa Farley
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 16:51
THANKS RTA !!!!!!!!!
Noor
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 16:39
What is good is good. Congratulations to RTA. Keep it up. It is a sign of good things to come from them.
Sabestine Chuks
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 16:05
It was great in the morning but becomes worse in the evening when we head to Sharjah from Ittihad road.....
Manoj
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:49
Adding new lanes has definitely improved the traffic flow. Normally, I start at 7:45am from Sharjah to reach Karama at 9:15am, via industrial area and Emirates Road. I heard from the Radio that Ittihad road is free moving and took this road today at 7:45 and I reached Karama at 8:30. Thanks a lot RTA for this move
Prakash V.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:47
RTA is great. Traffic inside and towards Sharjah will always remain same though.
Saqeer . S.V
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:44
Miracles do happen but only once in a lifetime.
Not everyday...
Traffic on Dubai-Sharjah road is back to it regular snaky pace.
Wish someone would upload the pictures of today morning.
Davy Jones
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:42
This was really surprising. I really want to thank the RTA for their great job. It was really unbeleivable on Wednesday when I saw how smooth the traffic was I automatically looked at my watch to check if i've left home at 3:45am instead of 5:45am!! I used to spend two hours and a half on the road, now it takes me 50minutes from Sharjah to Jebel Ali!! Thanks a lot...
Sawsan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:39
It was really amazing. I hope this will be forever!
Cris
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:38
It all depends on what time of the day you decide to venture out to Dubai, it might have minor changes for commuters during the wee hours of the morning. However, for people who would want to travel at any other time of the day after the peak hours are over, its BRILLIANT! took me less than 6 minutes yesterday at around 10.30am!
Hazel Girdharlal
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:27
Brilliant , awesome , many many thanks to RTA for their brilliant effort. Certainly in this time of global financial crisi this effort of RTA is not less than a cool breeze. Thousands of residents relieved, and undoubtedly the residents will relive their life. Again many thanks to RTA.
Mohammad Ali Moin
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:22
One day joy only, today the traffic is back and its killing me
Ron
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:18
So when are we to expect a SALIK toll gate on this route?
Faris
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:15
Thanks to RTA this the realisation of the dreams of millions of people in UAE.
Haris K. P. P.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 12:08
RTA's planning is great. After realising the increase in traffic, they just launched their comprehensive road widening programme and everyone can feel the difference. Mabrook to RTA and we expect more such programmes in the coming future to make everyones life easier. THANKS RTA
Shafat
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:58
The traffic was back again, although it was moving unlike other days when it comes to near halt on Ittihad road. It is still queing up again though, I hope RTA keeps this open unlike the other two interchanges they keep closed coming from Sharjah. Going back to Al Khan still remains a nightmare.
Saj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:53
Ah! A sigh of relief at last and what a wonderful work done by RTA. Hats off to them.
Before Ittihad road expansion i used to get up @ 5 in the morning and leave to Dubai before 6... but still it used to take atleast two hours to reach to my office.
And since two days i have been leaving to my office at 8 and within 20 min i reached my office.
I am thankful to all the people invovled in this project well done once again.Hip Hip Hurrah
Nadeem
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:48
Just want to thank the RTA, they are simply the best.
Anil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:44
I live in Al Nahda opposite Discount Center. The Ring Road road that leads to Emirates Road is easily the most chaotic form of mess I have witnessed in UAE. The reason is the absolutely crazy drivers that enter this road from all directions. There is a queue of cars coming from the hard shoulder and a longer queue awaits coming the wrong way from a ONE WAY road.So this small two lane road is being tortured from all directions. RTA please help! If this road is designated solely to Al Nahda residents, it will be a huge relief. Ittihad Road can be dedicated for the inner Sharjah traffic.
George Lopez
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:27
Today 26 Feb 2009.
it was again chocked up.
Aamir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:10
It's like a dream come true for all the motorists.
Sudesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:09
This project will have a positive impact on Dubai's economy as many employees will begin to arrive in time to their work.
Joypo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 11:04
I have seen that this happiness doesn't last longer. It was the same in the early stage of "Salik".
Venkat
Dubai,Uae
Posted: February 26, 2009, 10:36
Well, its really amazing that I could reach now my place in Al Nahda, Sharjah coming from Airport in 10-15 minutes only.. wow! Many thanks to the authorities.
Gem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 10:24
Driving on Al Ittihad road yesterday and even today is smooth and free of traffic. It is a pleasant surprise to drive on without being hindered by traffic jams. Cheers to the authorities. Do keep up the good work!
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:57
Yesterday it was a real surprise for everyone seems like a one day surprise. Today situation is changed and it tooks me 30 minutes to cover Al Khan to Galadhari Interchange.
Jain Michael
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:56
Went through like a breeze on Wednesday - There were signs of traffic building up on Thursday but still a breeze when compared to what it was a couple of days ago. Congratulations to the RTA and other agencies involved on a job well done.
PK Sasindran
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:52
Yep! First day was amazing,i guess mainly due to the fact that many of commutters are already using emirates road/bypass road to avoid traffic and didn't know about the opening. Today 26th Feb it was almost as usual but yes there is improvement but after 8am it took me 45 minutes to reach, which still is much better than before. Waiting for the Sunday traffic to see if really there is much difference. I pray there should be...let us see.
Arun
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:47
It's only today(26 Feb) in 3 years we reached Media City from Al Nahda Sharjah via Emirates Road UNDISGUSTED..keep u the good work guys.
Jen Lozada
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:47
Its all same as before again! Yesterday it was like a miracle.
Mohit Jain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:45
While going to Dubai from Sharjah in early morning at 5:30am there is always huge Traffic Jam starting from Ansar Mall.
Zeeshan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:29
My wife flight departure at 1400 hrs to Damascus and since I lived in Sharjah, I asked her to be ready by 10.30am to move to Dubai airport, we moved at 10.30 and unbelievably we reached Dubai airport at 10.50am.... 20 munites only! Amazing, I hope every day will be the same, I hope from RTA to not close other roads may be by next week or else.
Al Bakri
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:15
No comments, only need to thank all the people who work on this.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:13
25 Feb: I noticed the miracle of no Dubai-bound queue from Sharjah.
26 Feb: The queue is back. What went wrong, and so quickly?
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:12
Thanks to the RTA, it was a great drive from Sharjah to Dubai. I stay in Sharjah and go to work daily in Ras Al Khor. I start my journey at 5.45am every day and reach my office at around 8.45am, I take Al Khan bridge, then go to Safeer Mall road from there to Al Qusais Industrial Area and then to the airport tunnel.
But today I started at 6.00am and reached my office at 7.15am I was surprised there was very little traffic. Hats off to the RTA , keep the great work going on in the coming future.
Jatin Vaya
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:08
The traffic breeze was only limited to Tuesday... which was actually a miracle! However, today, Wednesday, it is back to normal with the traffic stretching to Ansar Mall in the morning, but at least it was moving, it was not stagnant. Let's wait and see how the next days would be.
Rafeeda
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:07
In the mornings at around 7.15am to 8.30am, there is huge traffic near clock tower towards Dnata, Rashidiya side. Now a days there are big public buses.
I think this is due to the same. Please do something to avoid this huge traffic block in the morning peak hours.
Shaheena Sulaiman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 09:03
It wasn't really a "breeze" as the writer states. The traffic has gotten better YES but is was still chaotic. Covering a short distance of 20-25 kms which used to take up to 1.5 hours now took an hour or so (and I believe an hours drive to cover just twenty kms isn't any kind of achievement).
Sheraz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:59
Administrations should think on how to control trafic from National Paints roundabout. The traffic is held up because the interchange next to the flyover does not have sufficient space.
Mustaqeem Abdul Rehman
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:55
Thanks to RTA,
we are very happy to say it took us 20 minutes to reach Dubai from Rolla, instead of 2 hours.
I hope further work on Ittihad Road will complete very soon.
Kotesha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:55
Boss, Dubai is rocking. Best city on the globe, especially in development of roads. Government is very concerned for public benefits.
Akhtar Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:50
It is an amazing work by RTA to make our life better.
Dr. Madhuchandra P. S.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:49
It's astonishing!! Bless RTA and UAE, I can sleep more now!!!
Ahmad Murad Khan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:41
Yahooooooo.....RTA making life easy thats cool....
Andrew Chacko
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:36
I spent three hours in traffic today to reach Bur Dubai from Sharjah Fish Market bus stand. The bus stands still near Ansar mall for almost one huour in the same place. Nothing has changed in traffic....
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:36
Wednesday early morning around 6:30am, I and my wife were surprised when we saw Sharjah - Dubai road, I thought it was a dream or a holiday because the road was empty and that time that we were running, I told my wife: This is an excellent job done by the RTA. Everyone wants to come and work early, there's NO headache because of traffic jam.
From A Reader
Manila,Philippines
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:35
When I left home this morning I thought it was Friday or even a holiday that I didn't know of. The stretch of the road that takes me 50 minutes to drive every morning took me 2 minutes. Unbelievable!
Mireille
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:28
I was pleasantly surprised when I reached Ittihad Road yesterday as the traffic was smooth. However, was sad to notice that though the traffic was reasonably less than usual, it wasn't like yesterday. The trail of cars was back and I could not understand why this happened so soon!!
Sanaa Kali
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:27
It is nice. They can improve the traffic again by increasing the duration of the signal at Al Mullah Plaza.
c.l.baby
dubai,u.a.e
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:09
I differ in the thinking here. After opening of the underpass, it took 30 minutes more than normal yesterday, while going back to Sharjah. I was also expecting that the trafic from Sharjah to Dubai would ease. I kept watching the Al Nahda interchange upto the Al Mulla plaza from my 21st floor flat. All was well till 6 o'clock this morning, but all became the same after that...no end to our pains!
Joy
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 08:06
Yes, its so nice now to drive Dubai to Sharjah road no trafic, and I will no longer see a motorist everyday fighting for a small space on the road just to reach in the office on time, its funny yeah...because we were one of them.
Bebi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 26, 2009, 07:54
