Sheikh Mohammed approves $544m to improve Dubai-Al Ain road links

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved plans to upgrade road links between Dubai and Al Ain at a cost of AED2 billion ($544 million).

The Dubai-Al Ain Road project will enhance link with several highways, such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road and Emirates Road. It will also serve the existing and future development projects on both sides of the road, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Saturday.

It added that the improvements will result in doubling the number of lanes from three to six lanes in each direction over a 17km sector.

Works also include upgrading six interchanges as well as constructing new bridges and service roads on both sides.

The project aims to boost traffic safety, enhance capacity from 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour, and cut transit time from Emirates Road interchange to Oud Metha Street from 16 to 8 minutes.

“It will serve several development projects on both sides of the Dubai-Al Ain Road such as Meydan, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubailand Residential Complex, Liwan and Dubai Design District,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of RTA.

The project has been split into two phases, with phase one, which costs around AED1.3 billion, extending 7km from the interchange of Emirates Road to the interchange of the Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

Phase two, which costs about AED748 million, extends 10km from the interchange of the Mohammed bin Zayed Road up to the interchange of Bu Kadra and Ras Al Khor Street.

The initial phase of the project is planned to be completed in the first half of 2020, said Al Tayer.