FUJAIRAH // An upgrading of infrastructure that includes tunnels and traffic signals for Fujairah city’s main road has been given a green light.
The Dh323 million works project on Hamad bin Abdullah Road will start in the summer.
Mohammed Al Afkham, Fujairah Municipality director, said the project aimed to ease congestion and save time as the road was the most used in the emirate and its primary gateway.
Two tunnels, two more lanes and a traffic light system will be added to the four-kilometre stretch.
“The plan includes constructing tunnels at Al Nujaymat roundabout, another at Al Taamenat roundabout, and a traffic light at Al Marash roundabout,” Mr Al Afkham said.
“We are also planning on adding a new lane in each direction, creating a three-lane road.”
The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and is part of Fujairah’s roads infrastructure masterplan.
Motorists welcomed the news.
“I’m delighted to know that they will start reconstructing Hamad bin Abdullah Road. We will be relieved from traffic congestion and roundabouts,” said Masoud Al Taher, a 38-year-old Emirati from Merashed.
“I use this road many times during the day. I use it to go to work and take the kids to school. It’s busy all the time, especially at Al Marash roundabout.”
Mohammed Khamal, a 29-year-old Egyptian, said the road in its present state gave a poor first impression to visitors and tourists.
“It’s a great initiative and we encourage the authorities to move forward with it – this will definitely save us time,” he said.
“Anyone who visits Fujairah for the first time passes through this old road with its cracks and bumps and gets a bad impression of the city.”
Hayam Al Suraidi, a 30-year-old Emirati, called the plan a great step but said she also wanted the municipality to work on smaller roads.
“The municipality should also consider paving and constructing internal streets in many areas such as Al Mahata and Al Ghurfa,” she said.
rhaza@thenational.ae
