Dubai Ruler approves construction for 500km of bicycle lanes and other projects

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for multiple transport projects during his visit to the RTA

Several accidents this morning slowed down the morning commute. Pawan Singh / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the construction of 500km of bicycle lanes around the streets of Dubai by 2021.

The project aims to encourage exercise and decrease car-use and is one of several transport projects the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai approved during his visit to the Roads and Transport Authority headquarters.

Many of the projects were related to Expo 2020 but others included the paving of internal roads of the city in both residential and industrial areas. Construction will begin in 2018 with 320km of paved roads expected to be completed in 2024.

Walking paths will be built along Dubai Creek, though the completion date of which was not disclosed.

Main roads across the emirate will be developed: Al Khawaneej Road and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road will be renovated as will the Dubai-Al Ain Road in an attempt to increase the motorway’s capacity from 6,000 vehicles per hour to 12,000 in both directions.

Al Shindagha Tunnel will be renovated and bus lanes will be constructed on external roads.

Sheikh Mohammed approved the upgrade of five metro stations, to answer increasing demand of metro users, who number 650,000 passengers per day, reported state new agency Wam.

Another project viewed by Sheikh Mohammed included the upgrade of local group transportation systems to keep pace with the requirements of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Central to these projects related to Expo 2020 Dubai is the Enterprise Command and Control Centre, or "EC3 Project," which was launched in May, as well as other road projects around the Expo site and the intersections of Dubai International Airport Road.

He also viewed a new system which will be used for the first time in the UAE and measures the dimensions and weights of trucks on the Hatta-Dubai Road. The introduction of the system aims to decrease traffic accidents caused by trucks due to their excess cargo.