Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the opening of two major bridges as part of its improvement plan for the Sheikh Rashid-Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed street intersection.

The first bridge on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street will comprise of two lanes in each direction, while the second bridge is a one-lane bridge stretching from Za’abeel Street towards Sheikh Rashid Street, a statement from the RTA explained.

With the bridges opening, traffic movement heading to Al Karama and the World Trade Centre junction in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road will be eased. A tunnel is also expected to be opened in both directions (Al Garhoud and Mina Rashid) in the second quarter of 2018, it added.

“The intersection of Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed streets is a key part of a big project for improving Al Shandagha Roads Network,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors at the RTA.

“The project is located at the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Street in the direction of the northern end of Al Shandagha Network, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street in the direction of the intersection with Al Kuwait Street,” he noted.

He added that the project is part of the RTA’s masterplan for the improvement of roads, bridges, crossings and underpasses to accommodate increased traffic volumes and easing traffic movement across all parts of Dubai.

Furthermore, the project is part of wider efforts to implement RTA’s strategic plan for upgrading roads and transportation infrastructure in the Emirate. The object of these efforts is to deliver an integrated solution of roads and marine networks that are safe to use, capable of meeting development plans and demographic growth, while also encouraging the development of and investment in Dubai.

“The project includes the construction of a bridge on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, a tunnel on Sheikh Rashid Street, and a bridge on Za’abeel Street in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Street. The objective of such works is to ensure a free traffic movement from the Trade Centre R/A to the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and Al Kuwait Street through a two-lane bridge in each direction,” said Al Tayer.

“The project also entails the construction of a tunnel of four lanes in each direction on the Sheikh Rashid Street in the direction of the intersection with Al Mankhool Street and a signalised junction under the bridge to provide free turns from main roads to subsidiary roads.

“The bridge has a one-directional ramp stretching from Umm Hurair Street to Sheikh Rashid Street. It also includes lighting, pavement, irrigation, sewage, storm-water drainage works as well as the shifting of utility lines such as electricity, water and telecommunication,” he added.