DUBAI: A project to build a new bridge, which will link the north and south Jebel Ali Free Zones, was announced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday. The project, which will be undertaken in collaboration with the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza), will cost Dh105 million and is expected to be completed in 18 months.
Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said that the project, which is situated near the 10th interchange of Shaikh Zayed Road, comprises the construction of a dual carriageway of three lanes in each direction to link the traffic movement between Jafza North and Jafza South across Shaikh Zayed Road.
“It also includes improvement works on roads connected by the bridge at Jafza North and Jafza South,” Al Tayer said. “Such improvement works include widening some roads to three lanes in each direction, and widening the existing roundabout at Jafza North to accommodate the traffic flowing from the bridge, in addition to lighting and infrastructure works such as the shifting of impacted utility lines of water, electricity, irrigation, sewage, rainwater drainage, and communication.”
Upon completion, Al Tayer said, the project will ensure smooth traffic movement between Jafza North and Jafza South, and alleviate the intense traffic on Al Maktoum Airport Road as well as the 10th interchange on Shaikh Zayed Road. Jafza is a thriving business community accommodating more than 7,100 businesses, including 100 firms ranked among Fortune 500. The area accounts for more than 50 per cent of the total exports, imports and re-exported commodities within or outside Dubai.
