Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the final phase of Al Houdh Interchange, which was completed at an estimated cost of Dh228 million ($62 million).

The opening of the interchange, which is situated between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Yalayis Road, follows the completion of all works in the project that included the construction of four east-west bridges extending along Al Yalayis Road comprising three lanes in each direction, said a statement from RTA.

It also included modifying the path of some impacted roads with the aim of achieving smooth traffic movement in the interchange, it stated.

By opening the last phase, the total cost of improving and widening of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from the outskirts of Dubai near Sharjah up to Al Houd Interchange amounts to Dh1.91 billion ($519 million).

Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the RTA board of executive directors, said the opening of the last phase of Improving & Widening Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Rd Project will help ease the traffic overlap experienced by Al Houdh R/A in the past.

Traffic now flows smoothly from Al Yalayis Road heading east to the Dubai Investment Park and west to Sheikh Zayed Road and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority. It will also ensure smooth flow of the North & South-bound traffic on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Rd from and to Abu Dhabi.

"Al Houdh Junction Project, which is situated at the western part of the Dubai Emirate bordering the Arabian Ranches Interchange to the north, and the Trucks Roadway to the south, is one of the key strategic projects on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road," explained Al Tayer.

"It encompasses upgrading Al Houdh R/A from a signalized junction into a flyover ensuring free movement in all directions, while accommodating for the path of Etihad Rail. It involves the construction of four east-west bridges extending 600 meters on Al Yalayis Rd comprising three lanes in each direction," it stated.

According to him, the project also encompasses the widening of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in an 11 km-long sector extending from Al Houdh R/A to the junction leading to Al Maktoum International Airport from three to six lanes in each direction.

"It included the construction of a service road on both sides of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in a 4 km-long sector extending from Al Khail Road junction to Al Houdh R/A to ease the entry & exist from the neighboring development projects.

It also includes street lighting works, rainwater drainage, traffic signs, road markings, and service utility works in the area as needed by service providers," added Al Tayer.-TradeArabia News Service