Major diversions ahead for Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai

Get set for some major traffic diversions in Dubai.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday that traffic diversions on Sheikh Zayed Road will commence on October 25 as part of phase one of the Dubai Canal project.

Under the project, a one kilometre 16-lane bridge will be built on Sheikh Zayed Road with the proposed Dubai Canal underneath it. The 3km-long canal project will cost a total of AED2 billion and will link Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf via Jumeirah Beach and Safa Park.

The diversion will affect 800 metres of Sheikh Zayed Road but officials say traffic will not be impacted.

“Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road will not be disturbed. The diversions are being planned in a way that the movement of traffic continues to be free-flowing," Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency (TRA) told Gulf News.

The project also includes the diversion of the utility lines which will be impacted by the course of the canal and lighting and fountain works for the bridge.

The first stage of the diversion will affect the Abu Dhabi-bound road and will include six temporary tracks opposite Al Mazaya Centre and Emarat Atrium.

Work will first begin on the Sharjah-bound side of the road.

"Work on the second half of the bridge will begin in the area which currently serves traffic towards Abu Dhabi. Temporary tracks will continue to serve traffic towards Abu Dhabi during the construction of the second half of the bridge,” she said.