Sharjah: The newly built Fifth Industrial Interchange - the National Paints bridge - is expected to open for traffic on February 7, Gulf News has learnt.
This is part of the expansion being carried out on Mohammad Bin Zayed Road in Sharjah. The work is expected to be completed by the end of March.
The expansion works on the congested highway began a couple of years ago and the continuous diversion works has impacted badly, but opening of the National paints is expected to help ease traffic.
“We are expecting a 100 per cent improvement in traffic movement once the expansion work completes. The National Paints intersection had been the main reason in slowing down traffic, but with the new bridges built we have added two lanes on each direction this will definitely ease traffic movement,” said Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of National Transport Authority.
He added that the capacity on the highway has been doubled and all the bottlenecks have been removed.
“The bridge when opens completely on February 7 will play a big role in easing traffic between Dubai and Sharjah. This will definitely make a big difference,” he opined.
Work on the Dh350 million third phase of the expansion project is expected to complete by the end of March, with the ramps and exits on the National Paints interchange getting a finishing touch.
Work on a new bridge on Fourth interchange bridge is also nearing completion and Dr. Al Nuaimi insisted all road works on the expansion project will be over by March.
Apart from building new bridges the work taking place under phase three of the project includes widening of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road from the existing three lanes to five lanes in each direction and constructing a new drainage network for rainwater as well as installing street lights.
The first phase, built a cost of Dh64 million, was completed in January 2012, while the Dh468 million second phase was completed last year. Work on second phase included building airport and Khalifa Bin Zayed road intersections.
Regular motorits on Mohammad Bin Zayed road welcomed the completion of expansion works.
“I have been waiting for this day for the last three years. Traffic has become worse because of diversion. Hopefully with the additional tracks and bridges there will be smooth flow. Looking forward to free flowing traffic on Mohammad Bin Zayed road,” said Mohammad Sarfarz, an Indian expatriate.
Another regular motorist Omar Odeh said the project will be successful even if the travel time cuts by 40 per cent.
“It takes 90 minutes in peak time to reach Ajman from Deira Dubai, I will be happy if I can save at least 30 minutes,” said Odeh, who resides in Ajman.
