HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Saturday, launched the Sharjah- Khor Fakkan Road project- an 89km road built at a cost of $1.6 billion.
The road passes through the Hajar Mountains and is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to 45 minutes. The first part of the road consists of 65 kms with two 7.4 m lanes on each side divided by a 10 m wide central reservation. It is a dual carriageway. Meanwhile, the shorter section of 24 kms, has two lanes and passes through the mountains to Khor Fakkan. It consists of five tunnels.
Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) has completed the installation of more than 2282 lighting poles on the new road. Dr Rashid Alleem, Chairman of SEWA, said that they are keen to make use of the latest international system in installing solar lighting poles, according to WAM.
Numerous other developments and heritage projects were also undertaken along the highway. These include a rest house and other facilities which were built at the site of the Al Rufaissa Dam. According to reports, the lake behind the dam has an area of 82,280 sqm and a depth of 13 20 m as well as an anchorage of 50 boats.
The rest house is located in an area of 10,684 sqm and includes a mosque which can accommodate 120 men and 20 women. Other amenities of the rest house include eight external areas that can accommodate 300 people, a parking lot for 45 cars, a kilometre-long walkway, three 410 sqm play areas, service facilities and a branch of the Sharjah Cooperative Association.
On Saturday, the Four Lakes project- a group of four artificial lakes and surrounding facilities, at the entrance to Khor Fakkan, and the Resistance Memorial was also inaugurated. The memorial is for the people of Khor Fakkan who fought against a Portuguese seaborne attack at the beginning of 16th century.
WAM reported that Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Sharjah’s Eastern Region is witnessing a major boom in infrastructure, service and development projects. He said that improvements in road networks, was one of the reasons for the continued development of tourism facilities in the East Coast City.
