Bridges to the future: Dh135m project to ease Ajman traffic

AJMAN // Two bridges have been completed at a cost of Dh135 million in a bid to ease congestion and boost the economy in the emirate.

The Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Bridge in Ajman city centre was formally opened at midnight on Monday and the Al Nuaimiya Bridge, in front of the GMC hospital, will formally open at midnight on Thursday.

Named after the Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Bridge is for motorists travelling to and from Sharjah and Dubai, while Al Nuaimiya takes those heading to the Northern Emirates.

Both bridges are in operation and the openings are purely ceremonial, attended by local dignitaries and officials.

“What is completed now is the first phase of the two bridges and they are only opening partly for the public use,” said Yayaha Al Reyaysa, the director general of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Directorate.

“The full projects will be completed at the end of this year and fully open to the public then.”

Mr Al Reyaysa said the two bridges represented a significant contribution to infrastructural development in the emirate.

He said the first phase had been the construction of the bridges, while a second phase will involve building an exit bridge on Al Nuaimiya Bridge for the industrial areas.

The two bridges are on Al Ittihad Road, the main artery that links Ajman to Sharjah and Dubai, as well as taking motorists to the Northern Emirates.

Traffic on the motorway had been restricted in previous months and motorists had to follow several diversions.

“It used to take me up to 30 minutes to drive from Jurf to Sharjah in the morning during the construction of the bridges, while before these works it was only 15 minutes,” said Mubarak Ahmed, 40, a resident of Jurf in Ajman, who commutes to Sharjah.

“But it did not concern me as this was part of development taking place in the emirate I call home. I am hopeful the traffic delays will be gone for ever.”

Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Bridge has three lanes on each side and is 400 metres long and 28 metres wide, while Al Nuaimiya Bridge is 370 metres long and 4.5 metres wide.

Mr Al Reyaysa said the project included the construction of pavements, traffic signals and lights.

Brig Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the deputy director general of Ajman Police, said that patrols are being deployed on the roads leading to the two bridges to help motorists.

“We hope the two bridges are not only going to help the traffic flow but also the flow of development and economy as they are a big additions to the emirate’s infrastructure,” he said.

“We urge the public to follow the new signposts showing the different directions and also the traffic rules.”