Dubai's Al Khail Road upgrade helps for a smoother journey

Look Back 2012: The year in review for the Roads and Transport Authority.

A new merit system introduced by the RTA has meant taxi drivers who pass inspection get coupons for a monthly raffle draw to win Dh3,000, Dh2,500 and Dh2,000 in cash prizes. Pawan Singh / The National

December

As Dubai commuters will bear witness, one of the highlights of this year was the completion of Al Khail Road's upgrade.

The RTA expanded the emirate's third most popular motorway to six lanes in each direction, and replaced four roundabouts with flyovers to ease traffic.

The Dh1.95?billion project covers 15 kilometres from its junction with Meydan Road to the junction with Emirates Road.

In other good news, a new merit system introduced by the RTA has meant taxi drivers who pass inspection get coupons for a monthly raffle draw to win Dh3,000, Dh2,500 and Dh2,000 in cash prizes.

New regulations passed by the RTA this year require trailers and semitrailers pulled behind lorry tractors to be registered and have an annual safety inspection.

The emirate also recorded its first death on the Metro in 2012, when a 36-year-old convenience store worker jumped on to the tracks to commit suicide.