Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said it has awarded contracts worth Dh482 million ($131 million) for upgrading a network of roads, bridges, crossings and tunnels to enable smooth movement of traffic across Dubai.

The upgradation project comes as part of RTA's strategic plan to lay the necessary infrastructure for the mass transit systems in Dubai, said a top official.

"The plan aims to develop integrated solutions of roads as well as land and marine transport networks that are safe for users, compatible with the comprehensive development plans, addressing the needs of demographic expansion, and contributing to sustainable development and investment in the emirate," remarked Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of RTA.

The scope of work involves construction of a flyover on Latifa bint Hamdan Street intersecting the First Al Khail Road, a signallised at-grade junction underneath the bridge, and the improvement of the intersection of Umm Al Sheef Street with Al Wasl Street.

The project also includes the construction of key surface roads, improvement of service roads, and landscaping works all along the Sheikh Zayed Road in the sector from Al Safa Interchange to Al Manara Interchange as well as at Umm Al Sheef Street, Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Zomorrud Street.

All these projects are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

"The project covers linking Jumeirah Street with Al Khail Road and parallel roads (Al Asayel, First Al Khail Road) through constructing two-level bridges and roads providing smooth and free traffic movement from Umm Al Sheef Street in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road up to Latifa bint Hamdan Street, and from Al Zomorrud Street to the east up to the Sheikh Zayed Road," stated Al Tayer.

According to him, the new project is a part of a RTA’s masterplan for upgrading the network of roads, bridges, crossings and tunnels to accommodate the growing traffic movement and improve mobility throughout Dubai.

"These new bridges will be constructed up and down the Red Line of the Dubai Metro without affecting the operation of the metro. The two bridges will be linked with the Sheikh Zayed Road through ramps enabling free exit points, he noted.-TradeArabia News Service