Bridge of hope for Karama residents
dubai — Residents in Karama, Bur Dubai and Mankhool have heaved a sigh of relief as the perennially congested roads connecting these three localities are set to ease after the opening of the key bridge at Sheikh Rashid Street-Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street intersection January 2018.
However, residents are saying that the traffic situation could only get better by 50 per cent, as the inner roads in these localities are very narrow. Khaleej Times spoke to several residents, after the RTA announced the opening of the new bridge in January, and all surveyed residents are hoping that the traffic situation will improve soon. “I need to plan my journey 15-20 minutes in advance to get to Karama on time… The bottleneck to enter Karama is always bad be- cause these localities have very narrow roads,” said Gibin Ali George, a marketing professional and resident of Dubai.
“A major issue is that all these localities are very old and the bottlenecks form at the entry and exit points of all these places,” said Mutawassim Shabandri, Indian national and Karama resident.
“For example, I take an exit from near the Lulu Hypermarket and Enoc petrol pump in Karama. Every morning, I end up getting stuck for 15-20 minutes to take a left from Sheikh Rashid Road to drive towards Sheikh Zayed Road. The situation is slightly better now because a lot of schools are on their winter break, but what happens after the schools reopen.” He added: “Unless the inner roads are widened, the traffic will continue to remain bad.”
Usually, the backlog to enter Karama goes all the way up to
Traffic near the old Sana Junction will definitely ease up, especially on the side of the flyover going towards Burjuman. But I do not expect it to be completely resolved until tunnel construction is over.” Zia Jukaku
Lamcy Plaza on the road from Garhoud and up to the Al Jafiliya Metro station, on the road coming in from Sheikh Zayed Road. “Getting stuck in traffic for over 15-20 minutes just to get out of the inner roads onto the main roads makes no sense. Some days, I take the Metro. Only the new bridge and underpass could reduce traffic by 50 to 60 per cent.” added Gibin.
The Shindaga corridor
The road improvement project of the main bridge of Sheikh Khalifa
I avoid going to Karama or Mankhool because of the traffic situation. However, with the coming of the bridge, I am sure things may get much better; maybe then I will start driving in Karama area again.” Gibin George
bin Zayed Street near Karama, also commonly called the Sana signal junction, was announced by Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The bridge is part of the improvement of Sheikh RashidSheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Streets Intersection Project, and also part of the improvement of the Shindagah Corridor, announced by the RTA in 2015.
The Shindagha Corridor improvement
I drive to Jebel Ali. The drive should ideally take me 30 minutes, but it takes 20 minutes just to get out of Karama traffic. I don’t use the Metro because I prefer the car, and taking a feeder bus to Jebel Ali is tough.” Mutawassim Shabandri
project consists of a new bridge, connecting Bur Dubai to Deira, that will serve as a gateway to Dubai, as well as an evaluation of an existing tunnel under the waterway, nearly 10 kilometres of a new 12-lane expressway, multiple major interchanges, and various local roadway improvements throughout the historic district of Dubai.
The project includes the construction of a bridge on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road and a tunnel on Sheikh Rashid Road. It also
Mostly, I avoid Karama because of the traffic. But if it’s really necessary, I park my car a few blocks away and walk it. The weather is nice now, so it helps. I do hope the traffic eases up once the bridge is complete.” Aishwarya Shiv
includes a bridge stretching from Umm Hurair Road in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Road.
RTA officials are stating that the project will result in smooth traffic movement from the Trade Centre roundabout to the intersection of Khalifa bin Zayed Road with Al Kuwait Road, where a two-lane bridge will be constructed in each direction.
On Saturday, Al Tayer revealed that the RTA would open a tunnel linking Al Garhoud and Mina Rashid in both directions, in the second quarter of 2018.
He noted that the completion rate of the entire project had reached 70 percent.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com