Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded an AED191 million ($52m) contact for improving the Al Awir Road and traffic flows around International City and Dragon Mart.
The project will be undertaken in collaboration with Nakheel, the main developer of International City, said Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director-general and chairman.
It comes in the light of findings from a traffic impact study of the International City and Dragon Mart area, focusing on traffic backups following the opening of an extension to the mall.
“Currently, there is a single main entrance shared by residents of International City and visitors of the Dragon Mart, which often results in backups during the morning and evening peak times,” Al Tayer said.
The improvement project, which covers Al Awir Road, Nouakchott Road, and International City at Al Warsan in Dubai, will ease the flow of traffic within the International City community, he noted.
The scope of the project comprises improving Al Awir Road extending from the intersection with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road up to the roundabout of International City. A two-lane flyover will be constructed at the juncture of Nouakchott and Al Awir Roads to ensure the free movement of traffic for inbound traffic from Nouakchott Road and outbound to Al Awir Road (in the westward direction towards Dubai). It will also provide a turning point for motorists coming from Al Awir Road heading to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
The project also includes the construction of a service road in both directions of Al Awir Road to ensure the smooth movement of traffic from International City, Dragon Mart and Al Warqaa District. Moreover, it will involve construction of a pedestrian and cycling bridge to ease movement between Al Warqaa and International City.
“The existing four main roundabouts in International City (Street 414) will be transformed into signalised junctions, and the existing lane would be widened by adding one or two lanes in certain sectors,” said Al Tayer.