News

Hamdan bin Mohammed opens Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project

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DUBAI, 29th May, 2022 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince o

Published

4 years ago

May 29, 2022

Abhishek Sengupta

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WAM

DUBAI, May 29: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has officially opened the Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project built at a cost of AED2 billion.

Undertaken as part of Dubai’s master transport plan, the project affirms Dubai’s efforts to accelerate its economic development with major projects.

Speaking on the occasion of the opening, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said: “Dubai continues to advance the implementation of infrastructure development plans aimed at enhancing human welfare and catalysing sustainable economic growth. It is also part of our broader strategy to transform Dubai into the world’s best place to live, work and visit as well as strengthen our readiness to meet future needs in one of the fastest growing cities worldwide.”

Sheikh Hamdan further said that the government has always placed the highest priority on constantly improving Dubai’s road infrastructure, since it plays an important role in raising the emirate’s competitiveness in addition to creating an attractive business and investment environment and providing a high quality of life for the community.

The scope of the Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project spans 17 km from the intersection of Emirates Road to the intersection of Ras Al Khor Road along the Dubai-Al Ain Road. Construction works included widening the road from three to six lanes in each direction, and constructing six main interchanges along with bridges and ramps stretching 11.5 km.

Upon arrival at the project site, Sheikh Hamdan was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Benefits to the community

The project will ease traffic flow and improve links with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road, and Emirates Road, besides serving the current and future communities such as Dubailand Residence Complex, Liwan and Silicon Oasis on either side of the Dubai-Al Ain Road.

This stretch of Dubai Al-Ain road connects the Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirates roads. Courtesy WAM

It will benefit a population of 1.5 million living or working in the neighbourhood on both sides of the road. It also serves 25 universities and colleges where a total of 27,500 students are enrolled. The improvements will double the intake of the road from 12,000 to 24,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

It will also slash the travel time on the Dubai-Al Ain Road from the intersection of Ras Al Khor Road to the intersection of the Emirates Road by 50% from 16 minutes to eight minutes during peak time. Furthermore, it will solve traffic snarls that used to extend about two kilometres.

Connectivity

Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed on two projects under construction. The first is the Al Manama Street Improvement Project where the existing roundabouts will be transformed into signalised junctions. Construction for the project is expected to be completed in September.

The other is the improvement of the junction of the Academic City on Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street Project, which is scheduled for completion in December this year. In future, the sector of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street from the Academic City to the junction of Al Awir Road will be further improved.

Ramping it up

Outlining the project’s highlights, Al Tayer said, “The improvement of the Dubai-Al Ain Project included the construction of four two-lane ramps at the junction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road extending 2,600 metres to ensure free and smooth traffic movement in all directions at the junction.

Dubai-AlAin1

The previous bridge on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road had been improved to allow for the widening of the Dubai-Al Ain Road from three to six lanes in each direction in addition to the construction of service roads on both sides of the road. The total capacity of bridges at the junction will jump to 36,000 vehicles per hour in all directions, which will ensure smooth traffic flow on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from Al Qusais in the direction of Al Ain.”

Works included widening the road from three to six lanes in each direction and constructing service roads on both sides to enhance traffic safety levels. Overall, the project covered the improvement of six key junctions with the Emirates Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Nad Al Sheba Road, Al Meydan Road and Ras Al Khor Road.

These junctions facilitate smooth traffic flow and serve the residential communities on both sides of the road such as the Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubailand Residential Complex, Liwan, and the Dubai Design District. The bridges at the six junctions stretch 6,600 metres in length and their ramps span 4,900 metres in total.

Six junctions

The improvement of Dubai-Al Ain Road junctions included the construction of a ramp at the intersection with the Emirates Road and a 220-metre bridge to link Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street with it.

The works will ease congestion seen in recent times from inbound traffic from the Dubailand Residential Complex as well as ease commute for those heading into Academic City and Silicon Oasis from nearby areas. Service roads have been constructed on both sides of the road along with turns to serve other traffic movements and development projects.

Other project works included the improvement of the Nad Al Sheba intersection to serve traffic from the Dubai-Al Ain Road to Nad Al Sheba and vice versa along with improvements of the inward and outwards surface roads of the Nad Al Sheba district.

Improvements covered the junction of Al Meydan Road with the Dubai-Al Ain Road, which has been linked with Al Manama Street by a four-lane bridge in each direction to link Al Meydan Road with Al Manama Road. Moreover, the previous bridge connecting Al Meydan Road and the Dubai-Al Ain Road has been improved to serve the residential projects of Meydan.

This stretch of Dubai Al-Ain road connects the Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirates roads. Courtesy WAM

Abhishek Sengupta

Chief Storyteller – Abhishek Sengupta Storytelling has been at the heart of everything I’ve done for nearly two decades, whether it’s captivating audiences with breaking news, crafting compelling video narratives, or writing columns with just the right amount of sarcasm and spice. I’ve been an award-winning investigative journalist, content creator, media strategist, and accidental commentator on everything from falafels to foldable laptops. My career has taken me across 60 countries, four World Cups between two sports, and one unforgettable ‘journalistic’ saga. Along the way, I’ve produced over 1,000 minutes of multimedia content, interviewed corporate top bosses, grilled ministers, while helping UAE’s longest-running English daily Khaleej Times ride the digital wave. All along, I’ve only tried (and occasionally succeeded) in making audiences laugh, think, and occasionally say, “Wait, that was actually interesting” —proving that even in today’s world, storytelling isn’t just alive; it’s thriving, quirky, and kicking up a storm.

Business

UAE signals new energy era with OPEC exit decision

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16 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Michael Gomes

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In a major shift for global energy markets, the UAE has announced plans to exit OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, 2026.

The move signals a bold step in the UAE’s long-term strategy, as it looks to gain greater control over its production policy and respond more flexibly to changing global demand.

Officials said the decision follows a comprehensive review of the country’s energy capacity and future outlook, with a focus on national interest and the ability to meet market needs more efficiently.

Despite ongoing geopolitical pressures, including supply concerns, global energy demand is expected to remain strong in the years ahead. The UAE says it is positioning itself to meet that demand with a balance of reliability, affordability, and sustainability.

The country, which first joined OPEC in 1967 through Abu Dhabi, has long played a key role in stabilising oil markets. Officials described the exit not as a break, but as an ‘evolution’, one that allows the UAE to act more independently while still supporting global market stability.

Positioning itself as a reliable energy partner, the UAE said it will continue supplying some of the world’s most cost-competitive and lower-carbon oil, while gradually adjusting production in line with demand.

At the same time, the country is doubling down on investments across the energy spectrum, from oil and gas to renewables and low-carbon technologies, as part of a broader push toward long-term resilience and economic diversification.

Source: WAM

Crime

UAE issues stark warning on price fixing: ‘It’s a crime’

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20 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Price manipulation isn’t just unfair, it’s illegal in the UAE.

The UAE Public Prosecution has issued a strong warning to businesses, making it clear that inflating or fixing prices crosses the line into criminal activity, not clever strategy.

In a statement shared online, authorities reinforced that the UAE’s free-market system is built on fairness, transparency, and strict legal oversight. Any attempt to distort competition or exploit consumers is taken seriously and can carry legal consequences.

At the centre of this is Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023, which bans monopolistic behaviour, price-fixing agreements, and the misuse of market dominance. The goal: keep markets open, competitive, and fair for everyone.

The Public Prosecution also highlighted its role in cracking down on economic crimes, working closely with other authorities to detect violations and protect consumers.

The message is simple: if you manipulate prices, you’re not just bending the rules — you’re breaking the law.

News

Don’t drive away: New Sharjah campaign targets minor hit-and-run cases

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20 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Motorists in Sharjah are being reminded to stay put after any accident, no matter how minor.

Sharjah Police has issued a fresh warning that leaving the scene of a collision, even a small scratch or low-speed bump, can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.

As part of a new awareness campaign, authorities stressed that every traffic accident must be reported, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. What some drivers consider a harmless parking lot scrape is officially treated as a hit-and-run if they drive away without reporting it.

The reminder comes as officials aim to clear up a common misunderstanding, many motorists assume minor incidents in residential areas or parking spaces don’t need to be reported. According to police, that’s simply not the case.

Under current traffic rules, leaving the scene of a minor accident can result in a Dh500 fine, eight black points on a driver’s record, and vehicle impoundment for seven days. Release fees can go up to Dh5,000, and repeated violations may even lead to licence suspension.

To drive the message home, police released an awareness video showing how quickly small accidents can happen in tight spaces like parking lots and narrow streets, and how easily they can turn into bigger legal issues when drivers fail to stop.

Authorities are urging motorists to stay at the scene, check on everyone involved, and report the incident through official channels, including the police app or by calling 901 for non-emergency situations.

In the end, officials emphasise that reporting an accident right away is the safest and simplest option, helping resolve matters quickly while avoiding penalties that can far outweigh the original incident.