By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited the head office of the Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). During his visit, Sheikh Mohammed approved a number of future development projects.
Crown Prince of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Director General of His Highness the Ruler’s Court Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani and Director General of Dubai Protocol Department Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman accompanied Sheikh Mohammed during his visit.
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, and a number of department heads and senior officials welcomed His upon his arrival. Al Tayer and his team briefed Shaikh Mohammad on vital projects and due to completing prior to Dubai Expo 2020.
The projects include the building of crossing in Dubai Creek, developing Dubai-Al Ain Road and other projects connected to Dubai Expo 2020.
The project to develop Al Khawaneej interchange, which will in turn develop the interchange on Airport Road by linking it to Dubai International Academic City Road and Emirates Road. The project will link Al Awir and Al Khawaneej via an interchange.
As for the project concerning the Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing, it will extend from Wafi interchange to Al Manama Street, and involve the setting up of the sixth crossing on Dubai Creek.
Another project involves the development of interchanges on Shaikh Rashid, Al Khail, Nad Al Hammar, Mohammad Bin Zayed and Al Awir roads.
Shaikh Mohammad was briefed on the Dubai-Al Ain road project, which aims to increase the capacity of the road from 6,000 vehicles per hour to 12,000 in each direction. It will be developed to accommodate the expected traffic flow up to 2030. The 66km project will include six lanes in each direction.
Shaikh Mohammad approved the project for paving internal roads within Dubai from 2018 to 2024. The project extends over 320km in length to meet the city’s growing population.
Shortly before leaving RTA’s main office, Shaikh Mohammad met with Emirati female employees and congratulated them on Emirati Women’s Day. He congratulated them on their achievements in their various positions. He referred to the major role played by Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in empowering Emirati women and encouraging them to pursue excellence.
Capacity of at least five Metro stations, including Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Internet City, Damac in Dubai Marina and Emirates Exchange in Jebel Ali, will be increased to cope with the increasing rush of passengers.
The RTA says that the project aims to increase the capacity of these stations to meet the growing demand for Dubai Metro passengers. Regarding Dubai Expo 2020-related projects, Shaikh Mohammad reviewed RTA’s plans to provide 750 green buses and 3,000 taxis for the event’s guests and visitors.
The Vice-President was briefed on a plan to set up bicycle tracks throughout the city of Dubai. The total length of the tracks is expected to reach 500km by 2021.
Concluding his visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid met RTA’s female employees and congratulated them for the Emirati Women’s Day.
From his side, Engineer Al Tayer expressed his gratitude for Shaikh Mohammad’s visit and for approving RTA’s future projects that are part of RTA’s long-term strategy.
