The project was approved by Sheikh Mohammed to help benefit commuters and future projects…

If your daily commute involves the Dubai-Al Ain Road take note – as it’s about to undergo some massive changes.

The approval of the upgrade comes directly from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and will come at a cost of Dhs2 billion

So, what sort of changes can we expect? 

An official Tweet from the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed the project, along with a video displaying the massive changes the Dubai-Al Ain Road will undergo.

One of the major changes is the increase in the number of lanes from three to six in both directions over a 17-kilometre sector.

Service roads will also be constructed on both sides of the roads as well an upgrade to six interchanges. New bridges will also be constructed.

The change is expected to help enhance traffic safety, as well as increase the number of vehicles travelling on the Dubai-Al Ain road from 6000 to 12000 vehicles per hour.

The amazing news is that transit time from Emirates Road interchange to Oud Metha Street will be cut in half from the usual 16 minutes to just eight.

When will the project be completed? 

The project will be split into two phases, with phase 1 to be completed in the first half of 2020.

Phase 1 will include upgrading the junction with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road which is currently witnessing high amounts of traffic.

It will extend 7km from the interchange of Emirates Road to the interchange of the Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

The upgrades in Phase 1 will also include the construction of four ramps to serve traffic movement in four directions.

The initial phase will also include the redevelopment of the existing bridge on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to enable the widening of the road from three lanes to six, plus the construction of the service roads.

Phase two will extend 10 km from the interchange of the Mohammed bin Zayed Road up to the interchange of Bu Kadra and Ras Al Khor Street.

The phase will include upgrading the Nad Al Sheba interchange by upgrading the existing bridge to serve the traffic from Dubai-Al Ain Road to Nad Al Sheba and vice versa and improving inward and outward surface roads at Nad Al Sheba.

The phase will also include an upgrade of Al Meydan Street which will be linked with Al Manama Street by a four-lane bridge in each direction. The existing bridge at the intersection of Al Meydan Street will also be improved.

The development of the remaining sector of the Dubai-Al Ain Road from the interchange of Emirates Road up to the outskirts of Al Ain city will be undertaken in the future.

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Images: Dubai Media Office