DUBAI // A three-lane bridge has been opened from Oud Metha Road to Sheikh Rashid Road close to Wafi as part of plans to clear tailbacks in Bur Dubai, one of the emirate’s most congested neighbourhoods.
The 700-metre bridge has the capacity to handle 3,300 vehicles per hour, according to a statement from Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority.
The bridge is part of an Dh88 million project that includes bridges from near Latifa Hospital in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Road and on to Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Saada Road leading to the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“The new bridge was intended to ease the overlapping traffic problems experienced in the Wafi intersection and ensure smooth movement in all directions,” Mr Al Tayer said.
The traffic should now flow from Oud Metha Road heading to the east in the direction of Al Ain, and from Sheikh Rashid Road in the direction of Oud Metha Road to the west to reach the Umm Hurrair, Oud Metha communities, he said.
“The bridge was undertaken as part of RTA’s efforts to improve main roads network in the emirate, and the project had been flagged as a key traffic hub in the master plan of the roads network.”
The project is part of plans by the transport authority to reduce tailbacks in Bur Dubai.
Earlier this year the RTA began work to improve traffic around the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road.
Expected to be completed by next year, the Dh611 million project is part of plans to improve traffic flow at Al the Shandagha hub and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed road.
It also comprises building a bridge on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road, a tunnel at the Sheikh Rashid Road and a bridge stretching from Umm Hurrair Road in the direction of the Sheikh Rashid Road.
The overall plan aims to clear traffic snarls at the Trade Centre roundabout to the intersection of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road with Al Kuwait Road with a bridge of two lanes in each direction.
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