Sharjah has announced the opening of the first phase of a new project to develop and construct new road links between the emirate and Dubai.
This phase includes the partial opening of Al Taawun Interchange and the operation of several bridges and junctions, providing one-way traffic flow from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah to facilitate access for visitors to the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), reported Wam.
The second phase will include the full opening of the upper-level junction at Al Taawun Roundabout and Al Taawun Tunnel, the completion of bridges and junctions along the three industrial streets, and the development of Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange and the bridge connecting it to Jamal Abdul Nasser Street, leading to the project’s full operation.
The inaugural phase of the Dubai-Sharjah road project was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah as part of the efforts to improve traffic flow on routes connecting the two emirates.
Dr Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Initiatives Implementation Authority, “Mubadara”, lauded the combined efforts and complementary roles of the entities involved in accelerating the completion of the first phase.
The project directly improves the efficiency of the road network, facilitates smoother travel and reduces congestion by increasing capacity on key routes, he stated.
Eng. Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), said this institutional integration reflects an effective partnership that brings together expertise and resources to achieve development objectives and serve the emirate and its people. The value of these projects lies in their anticipated impact on people, families and their daily journeys, as well as the connectivity and efficiency they add to the road network.
“We are working continuously with our partners to complete the project to the highest standards of quality, precision, safety and sustainability, while accelerating progress to deliver infrastructure that serves present requirements and meets future needs,” he added.
The project comprises five sections aimed at easing congestion and improving traffic flow across key roads in Sharjah.
The first includes a 560-m-long tunnel with three lanes in each direction along Al Taawun Street, a roundabout and a signal-controlled junction.
It is designed to handle about 4,200 vehicles per hour during peak periods and improve access to Expo Centre Sharjah and surrounding areas.
The second involves upgrading Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange on Al Ittihad Road through two underpasses and a 315-m-long bridge linking it to Jamal Abdul Nasser Street. The works will add capacity for about 2,600 vehicles per hour and improve connections to Al Khan Street and the Ring Road.
The third section will upgrade two junctions linking First and Second Industrial Streets, including two bridges spanning about 866m, a signal-controlled intersection and free-flow turning lanes, reported Wam.
The improvements will provide direct links between Damascus Street in Dubai and Wasit Street in Sharjah, with a capacity of about 2,800 vehicles per hour during peak periods.
The fourth includes a 2.7-km road link at Third Industrial Street, featuring two bridges and an underpass connecting the Ring Road, Al Khan Street and Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange. It is expected to add capacity for about 5,200 vehicles per hour and improve access to Sharjah city centre and industrial areas.
The fifth section will expand the turning route from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road towards the Ring Road to three lanes and widen the Ring Road, adding two lanes towards Sharjah city centre and one towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, said the Wam report.
Entrances and exits will also be reorganised, and merging and diverging lanes will be improved, increasing road capacity and supporting smoother traffic flow between the new links and existing roads, it added.
