RTA Opens Two Major Bridges At Garn Al Sabkha Street Intersections
RTA Opens Two Major Bridges At Garn Al Sabkha Street Intersections. Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) marked another milestone in its relentless drive to enhance the city infrastructure, with the opening of two major bridges at the Garn Al Sabkha Street intersections on Sunday, 15 September. These new bridges are part of the broader Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project, a transformative endeavor aimed at boosting traffic flow and reducing travel times across key road networks in Dubai.
This development comes as part of RTA’s commitment to keep pace with Dubai’s growing urbanization and meet the needs of its expanding population, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and seamless transport system. Let’s explore how these new bridges will impact traffic and what lies ahead for this monumental project.
A Closer Look at the Two New Bridges
The RTA’s latest achievement consists of two newly opened 2-lane bridges, each strategically designed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion:
- Bridge One: Spanning 601 metres, this two-lane bridge is designed to accommodate 3,200 vehicles per hour. It caters specifically to eastward traffic from Garn Al Sabkha Street, guiding vehicles smoothly to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and facilitating travel towards Al Qusais and Deira. With the opening of this bridge, the overlapping of vehicles merging from Garn Al Sabkha onto major highways has been significantly minimized, ensuring smoother transitions.
- Bridge Two: Slightly larger at 664 metres, this second bridge also features two lanes and can manage 3,200 vehicles per hour. It ensures free-flowing traffic from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road heading southward toward Al Yalayes Street and Jebel Ali Port. The design effectively eliminates traffic bottlenecks, particularly in areas where traffic flows intersect, creating a more efficient route for daily commuters and cargo transport vehicles heading to the port.
The Grand Vision: Full Completion by October
The Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project is scheduled for full completion by October, with the final bridge set to open by then. The final bridge, spanning an impressive 943 metres, will link the intersection of Garn Al Sabkha Street with Al Asayel Street. Designed with two lanes in each direction, this bridge will accommodate up to 8,000 vehicles per hour.
Once this final piece of the puzzle is completed, it will seamlessly connect Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, offering an uninterrupted flow of traffic between these two critical arteries of Dubai’s transport network.
The Project Impact on Travel Times
RTA has consistently emphasized the importance of this project in alleviating the heavy traffic burden that many residents experience on a daily basis. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, shed light on the project’s remarkable benefits:
- Reduction in Travel Time: One of the most significant advantages is the 40% reduction in travel time from Garn Al Sabkha Street to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road heading towards Al Qusais and Deira. This time-saving improvement means that what used to take 20 minutes during peak hours will now only take 12 minutes.
- Boost for Commercial Transport: For motorists and cargo vehicles traveling from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road rightward to Al Yalayes Street and heading toward Jebel Ali Port, the project offers a staggering 70% reduction in journey time. This translates to a reduction from 21 minutes to just 7 minutes, a game-changer for the logistics and transportation sector.
These improvements not only benefit individual commuters but also serve Dubai’s booming commercial and industrial sectors by making cargo transport faster and more efficient.
A Project Nearing Completion
As of September, the Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project is 97% complete, with just a few final touches remaining before the entire project is wrapped up in October. According to Al Tayer, the project is closely aligned with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has consistently emphasized the need for cutting-edge road infrastructure to accommodate the emirate’s rapid development.
Additionally, the project is monitored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who has taken a personal interest in ensuring the successful completion of this key infrastructure initiative. With four bridges in total, stretching across a combined distance of 2,874 metres, and a total capacity of 17,600 vehicles per hour, this project stands as a testament to Dubai’s forward-thinking approach to urban planning.
A Step Towards Dubai Mobility Future
The Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project is just one part of RTA’s broader master plan to develop strategic east-west traffic corridors and improve Dubai’s arterial roads. This includes the development of roads like Al Yalayes Street and Expo Street, which serve numerous development projects across the city and accommodate both current and future traffic volumes.
The goal is not only to improve daily commutes but to ensure that Dubai’s transport infrastructure is future-proof, capable of handling the needs of a rapidly growing city while supporting the development of key industries and sectors.
Conclusion
The opening of these two major bridges at the Garn Al Sabkha Street intersections marks a significant milestone in Dubai’s road network development. With the project nearing completion, commuters and businesses alike will soon benefit from shorter travel times, improved traffic flow, and a more seamless connection between key areas of the city. The RTA’s efforts demonstrate its ongoing commitment to enhancing Dubai’s infrastructure and ensuring that the city remains at the forefront of global urban development.
