Work on canal will not affect Sheikh Zayed Road traffic

Sheikh Zayed Road will keep its six lanes in each direction open to motorists, while bridges are built over the motorway and what will become the Dubai Canal.

Work on the Dubai Canal project beside Al Safa park and Sheikh Zayed Road. Roads and Transport Authority officials say the work will not interfere with traffic on the city’s main arterial road. Jaime Puebla / The NationalShow less

DUBAI // Traffic on the city's main motorway will not be affected by work beginning this month as part of the Creek extension project, according to officials from the Roads and Transport Authority.

Work on bridges and diversions is due to start on July 26.

Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) will keep its six lanes in each direction open to motorists, while bridges are built over the motorway and what will become the Dubai Canal.

“The first phase of diversions will be implemented on SZR from Dubai towards Abu Dhabi near Safa Park area as part of the completion of the canal project,” said Nabeel Mohammed Saleh, the acting chief executive of the Traffic and Roads agency at the RTA.

“Construction of the diversion will commence on July 26 and will be opened to traffic by the end of October.

“The diversion, which is one kilometre, will not affect the current flow of traffic and the number of lanes will be maintained.

“As for the traffic coming from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, the traffic will be retained on SZR while diverting it to the lanes currently available towards Abu Dhabi.”

Work on the diversion will begin at the same time as the implementation of the Northern Bridge towards Dubai on SZR near the Business Bay Metro station.

The Dh2 billion project will extend Dubai Creek from Business Bay across SZR, through Safa Park and Jumeirah and on to the Arabian Gulf.

“The contract of phase two encompasses the construction of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads above the Dubai Water Canal, enabling the passage of 8.5 metre high yachts,” Mattar Al Tayer, the transport authority’s chairman and executive director, said this year.

“Marine transit modes are expected to attract more than six million riders per annum according to the strategic marine transport plan in Dubai,” he said.

“The canal will also boost the profile of Dubai as a leading destination for sea cruises.”

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016.