A major Dubai road that will more than double traffic capacity and boost access to a series of popular desert attractions is set to open next month.
The Saih Al-Dahal Road Improvement Project will connect with entry points to the Al Qudra lakes, a cluster of man-made beauty spots, including the heart-shaped Love Lake, Swan Lake and Flamingo Lake.
A single-lane road that served the area is being replaced with a dual carriageway extending 11 kilometres, made up of two lanes in each direction, along with a central reservation and three roundabouts to ease movement.
The road project will also link Saih Al-Salam Road with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
It is the latest part of an ambitious strategy by transport authorities aimed at reducing congestion, boosting road safety and enhancing the area's status as a leisure attraction.
The Love Lake, in Al Qudra desert, is shaped like two interlocking love hearts with trees planted beside the water to spell out the word 'love'.
First revealed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Instagram in November 2018, it has become a popular spot for residents and tourists alike.
“The project aims to increase the road intake from an existing 1,800 vehicles to 4,000 vehicles in each direction to accommodate the continued growth in traffic volumes and ease the mobility of residents and visitors to the oasis on both sides of the road, desert areas and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.
“The project complements a series of projects completed by RTA in the area, such as the 23-kilometre long Dubai Cycling Track, which links with the existing cycling track at Saih Al-Salam running alongside Al Qudra Road at the Gateway of the Dubai Cycling Track in the direction of the Emirates Road.
"From there it links with the Latifa bint Hamdan Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Al Barari district and up to Nad Al Sheba community.
"The cycling track at Saih Al-Salam, which extends about 115km, is fitted with several amenities including outlets for renting bikes and accessories, a fully-equipped clinic, and 10 rest areas along the cycling path fitted with seats and bike racks.”
A number of key road schemes are still in the works.
Nine more roundabouts are being constructed to improve traffic flow and safety along with four camel and horse crossings, a cycling track, service roads, parking spaces, and widening of the existing parking area at the Dubai International Endurance Village.
Street lighting and rainwater drainage work is also being carried out.
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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
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- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
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Favourite hobby: Football
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