SHARJAH TO KHOR FAKKAN IN 45 MINUTES
Winding down Hajar mountains, the road cuts through five tunnels, one of them — Al Multaqa — is the region’s longest at 2.7km. |
The drive to the tranquil beaches of the east coast has just become that much more pleasant — thanks to the opening of the Khor Fakkan highway as the new road cuts the journey time by half.
Inaugurated by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and accompanied by Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, yesterday, the 89-km highway reduces the journey time between Sharjah and Khor Fakkan from 90 minutes to 45 minutes.
Winding down the Hajar mountains, the road cuts through five tunnels, one of them — Al Multaqa — being the longest in the region at 2.7km.
Considered the longest covered tunnel in the Middle East, Al Multaqa Tunnel, as well as the four others, are 7.3 metres wide and serves four lanes of traffic. Each tunnel also has a 1.1-metre wide walkway.
The first part of the road, with a total length of 65km, is a dual carriageway, with two 7.4-metre lanes on each side. There are 14 intersections, seven underpasses and several slipways to allow for the drainage of water.
The second, shorter section, running for 24km and with two lanes, passes through the mountains to Khor Fakkan. All the five tunnels are located in this section.
Holiday spot
The 89km road can be accessed from Dafta Interchange near Masafi, on the old Fujairah Road. Motorists heading from Dubai and Sharjah can also access the new highway from Emirates Road, with an access just before the Dhaid Road interchange.
Part of the Dh6 billion project is the Al Rafisa Dam Rest Area, which is spread over 10,684-square metres, including an 82,280 square-metre lake alongside a park. The holiday spot, located half way through the new highway, has eight external covered recreational areas capable of accommodating a total of 300 people.
It also has a parking lot for 45 cars, a kilometre-long walkway, three 410-square metre wide play areas, a mosque with a capacity to hold 120 men and 20 women, a restaurant, service facilities and a branch of the Sharjah Cooperative Society supermarket.
The lake has a depth of up to 20 metres with an anchorage for 50 boats.
Also inaugurated yesterday was the Four Lakes project — a group of four artificial lakes and surrounding facilities at the entrance to Khor Fakkan — and the Resistance Memorial, which commemorates the people of Khor Fakkan who had fought against a Portuguese seaborne attack at the beginning of the 16th century.