Further improvements demanded on deadly Sharjah truck road

Last month, three children – aged 6, 13 and 14 – died at the spot when their car was involved in a collision with a lorry. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

SHARJAH // Measures taken to upgrade a deadly truck road junction were not enough, an Al Daid councillor said on Thursday.

Dr Khalifah Obeid Dalmouk, speaking at a Sharjah Consultative Council session, said merely resurfacing the road and repainting road markings would not reduce the danger at a junction that has claimed many lives in recent years.

Last month, three children – aged 6, 13 and 14 – died at the spot when their car was involved in a collision with a lorry.

The children’s mother and two of their siblings, aged 8 and 3, suffered severe injuries.

“The junction was made three years ago and we were told it would be tested for six months,” said Al Dhaid councillor Dr Dalmouk. “But there have been no changes to a dangerous road that has claimed many lives.”

The junction is on the E55 that connects Al Dhaid centre with Al Madam. The road is the main artery connecting the western region of Sharjah and southern emirates with the central and eastern regions of Sharjah.

“The road should be wider – two narrow lanes are not enough,” said Dr Dalmouk, who thinks commercial buildings at the side of the road should be removed so the tarmac can be widened.

“Public safety is paramount, and if the shops and garages need to be removed to enhance the road, so be it, the government can compensate them.”

The council member also complained that the truck road was built without adequate drainage, which caused flooding during heavy rain.

“Homes on the banks of the road are lower than the street, and heavy rain causes water to pour down on them, destroying properties.”

Resident Abdullah Ali said drastic changes needed to be made to the junction to make it safe and that the upgrade work – resurfacing and repainting – did not change the logistics of the problem. “It’s the same, nothing has changed really, there are no exits, the road is narrow, only two lanes per direction,” said Abdullah Ali. “This junction needs drastic changes.”

Sharjah RTA chairman Yousuf Al Suwaiji said plans were under way to do away with the junction.

“A bridge will be built on the E55 connecting Al Dhaid centre with Al Madam, while the truck road will pass under the bridge,” he said. “This will eliminate the need for traffic lights and ensure ease of traffic flow.”

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.