Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened two major bridges and a tunnel spanning a total of 2,325 metres with a capacity of 27,200 vehicles per hour as part of the Falcon Interchange Improvement Project located between Al Khaleej Street, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, and Al Ghubaiba Road.
The two bridges are connected by the Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel from the northern side and will eventually link up with the bridges that RTA is currently constructing at the junction of Sheikh Rashid Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street from the southern side.
The completion of this project is in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the follow-up of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to expedite the completion of the Al Shindagha corridor to keep pace with the ongoing progress of the area along the corridor and to cater to the demands of urban and population growth.
Mr. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, shared.
Mr. Al Tayer explained that “the Falcon Interchange Improvement Project is a segment of the 13 km-long Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, spanning Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street. The improvement of the Falcon Interchange enables a smooth traffic flow along the Al Shindagha corridor (Al Khaleej and Al Mina Street), besides increasing the capacity, efficiency, and traffic safety of these two roads. It also offers entry and exit points to Mina Rashid (Port Rashid) and additional parking spaces beneath the new bridge to serve the area.”
“The work entails the opening of two main bridges on Al Khaleej Street extending 1825 metres, each of them having six lanes with a total capacity of 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. The first bridge measures 750 metres, while the second bridge extends 1075 metres in the southern direction. These bridges are linked to the new Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel from the Deira side, as well as the improved junctions on Sheikh Rashid Road. Furthermore, a 2-lane tunnel has been opened for left turns from Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road to Al Mina Street. This tunnel stretches 500 metres and accommodates up to 3,200 vehicles per hour,” the Director- General added.
The project also covers the installation of road lighting, traffic systems, rainwater drainage networks, and irrigation system networks.