UAE- Watch: Al Wasl Street Bridge to open on Friday

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is all set to open the Al Wasl Street Bridge on Friday as part of Phase II of Dubai Water Canal Project. The aim is to reduce traffic congestion in the Jumeirah area.

The bridge consists of two lanes in each direction in addition to another lane serving the traffic coming from Al Wasl Street to Al Aathar Street. The bridge passes over the canal at a height of eight metres, allowing free navigational traffic around the clock. The bridge will improve traffic flow on Al Wasl Street, and for vehicles coming from Jumeirah 1 towards Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3, Park Street and vice-versa.

"The traffic lights at the intersection of the Park Street with Al Wasl Street will be removed so that traffic moves smoothly on the bridges, and underneath along Al Wasl Street for vehicles coming from the Park Street heading right to Bur Dubai, Al Aathar Street and Jumeirah. After opening Al Wasl Street Bridge, the canal works underneath the bridges will be finalised, sub-roads and sidewalks will be opened, and all traffic diversions will be removed," said Mattar Al Tayer director-general and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority.

"As part of phase II contract of the Dubai Water Canal, last March, the RTA opened a bridge to ease traffic coming from Al Aathar Street towards the Park Street over Al Wasl Street. The bridge eased traffic for vehicles coming from Jumeirah Street and Al Aathar Street towards Park Street and Shaikh Zayed Street," added Al Tayer.

"The completion rate of Jumeirah Street Bridge has reached 70 per cent approximately, and is poised for completion by mid-July, following the completion of all sub-road works, jogging track, sidewalks and subsequent services. The completion rate of the Southern Bridge on Shaikh Zayed Street in the direction from Dubai to Abu Dhabi has reached more than 81 per cent, and the bridge is expected to open this July," he added.

The phase II contract of Dubai Water Canal project includes the construction of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Streets above the canal, allowing yachts of eight metres high to pass underneath. Phase II also includes the construction of an integrated multi-tier interchange connecting Al Wasl and Al Aathar Streets, and the removal of traffic signals therein. It also includes the construction of bridges connecting the proposed semi-island south of Jumeirah Park, besides shifting the utility lines via conduits passing underneath the canal, and constructing reserve utility conduits underneath the Canal to satisfy future needs.

Phase II contract also includes digging the water canal, building the canal slopes, and constructing three pedestrian bridges in key locations linking the two banks of the canal to facilitate movement of residents and visitors, and encourage the use of mass transit in general and marine transit in particular.

Phase 1 of the contract includes the construction of an eight-lane wide bridge on Shaikh Zayed Street, in each direction, passing over the canal, thus allowing free navigational movement round the clock. It also includes rerouting affected roads in order to ensure integration of traffic between the two banks of the new canal, noting that new construction works will affect about 800 meters of the Shaikh Zayed Street.

Phase I also includes shifting the existing utility lines, which were affected by the canal, in addition to installing smart lighting and fountains on the bridge.

Phase III includes the construction of 10 marine transit stations, and filling up works to build an artificial semi-island along Jumeirah Park, which will double the length of Jumeirah Park Beach, increase the Park area, and allow for more recreational activities.