New roads set to ease SZR traffic
dubai — The traffic on the Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) is all set to be smoother after two new road projects opened, according to the Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The first phase of the two projects — seventh interchange improvement project and Al Yalayes and Al Asayel roads improvement project — opened on Saturday. The projects will divert vehicles to both the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and the Emirates Road, easing congestion. It will also boost the movement of goods to and from the Jebel Ali Port, and provide additional entry/exit points for community developments in areas such as Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens and Jebel Ali Development Project.
“The projects have been undertaken in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to keep pace with the upswing seen by Dubai, meet the rapid urbanisation of the emirate and bring happiness to people,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board directors of the RTA.
“The projects will step up the capacity of Al Yalayes Road to almost 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. They will also cut short the transit time between the seventh interchange on the SZR and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to as low as four minutes,” he continued.
Al Yalayes and Al Asayel Roads
“Al Yalayes Road will be improved over a sector extending 6km from the seventh interchange of the SZR to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road at Al Houdh Interchange. Al Asayel Road will also be upgraded over a 5km sector to link with JAFZA, Jumeirah Islands, and Emirates Hills,” said Al Tayer.
The first phase includes increasing the number of lanes on Al Yalayes Road from three to five lanes in each direction from SZR to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
The second phase includes completing the remaining lanes from and to the upper interchanges of First Al Khail and Al Asayel Roads along Al Yalayes Road with a capacity of seven lanes in each direction to ensure a smooth traffic flow.