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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

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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.

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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.

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Abu Dhabi introduces new safety guidelines for e-scooters

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9 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If you ride an e-scooter or electric bike in Abu Dhabi, it’s worth knowing where you’re allowed to go, and where you’re not.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport has outlined designated areas where electric bikes and scooters are permitted, along with clear restrictions aimed at improving safety, easing traffic flow and supporting smarter urban mobility.

According to the department, e-bikes and scooters are allowed on internal roads with speed limits below 40km/h, dedicated cycling and e-bike lanes, and shared paths designed for both pedestrians and cyclists.

However, riding is strictly prohibited on highways, pedestrian-only paths, and roads outside the city where speed limits are 60km/h or higher.

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) said the rules are part of a broader plan to create a safe, connected network of cycling and e-bike routes across the emirate, encouraging active transport and better integration with public transport.

Pedestrian safety remains a top priority. Riders are required to follow traffic laws, obey road signs and markings, ride in the direction of traffic, keep a safe distance from pedestrians and use designated cycling lanes whenever available.

Cyclists are also reminded that riding on roads with speed limits above 60km/h requires a special permit. On roads with speed limits of 60km/h or below and no cycling lanes, riders should keep to the right-hand side.

Parking is only allowed in designated areas to avoid blocking pedestrians or vehicles. Riders must also maintain at least a five-metre distance from school buses when warning lights are on, and the stop arm is extended. Group cycling tours must obtain prior approval from Abu Dhabi Police.

Authorities say the measures are designed to keep everyone, riders, pedestrians and motorists, safe while supporting a more active and sustainable transport culture in the capital.

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Planning a trip to Mleiha? Sharjah warns against entering the park without permission

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12 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Sharjah authorities have warned that strict legal action, including hefty fines, will be taken against any vehicle entering Mleiha National Park without official authorisation.

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) said the park is a protected national site established by Emiri decree and governed by a strict legislative framework aimed at preserving its archaeological, cultural and environmental significance.

Shurooq stressed that unauthorised access by any type of vehicle, without exception, constitutes a direct violation of the park’s protected status and will result in financial penalties and other legal measures. The enforcement is intended to prevent damage to the park’s fragile terrain and irreplaceable archaeological remains, which cannot be restored once disturbed.

Mleiha National Park forms part of the Al Faya Site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025. The designation places additional responsibility on local authorities to ensure the long-term protection of the site as a rare and continuous record of early human history.

Public access to the park is therefore strictly limited to approved, organised activities supervised by the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. All visits must be booked exclusively through the centre and conducted along designated routes in accordance with established guidelines designed to safeguard the site.

News

Rainy Monday morning in UAE as cold spell continues

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12 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Residents across the UAE can expect a cool and rainy start to the week, as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts light rainfall on Monday morning, January 26, amid an ongoing cold spell.

According to the NCM, temperatures are set to dip slightly, with generally comfortable conditions across the country. Monday’s weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy, particularly over coastal, northern, and eastern regions, as well as over the sea. Light rain is expected during the morning hours.

Temperatures are not expected to exceed 26°C nationwide. Dubai may see lows of around 16°C, while Abu Dhabi temperatures could drop to 15°C.

Humidity levels will increase at night and into Tuesday morning in some coastal and internal areas, raising the possibility of mist formation.

Winds will be light to moderate, blowing from the northeast to northwest at speeds of 10–25 km/h, occasionally strengthening and causing blowing dust. Sea conditions will be rough in the morning, easing to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and becoming moderate to slight in the Oman Sea.

RTA warn motorists of wet conditions

Meanwhile, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged motorists to exercise caution while driving in wet conditions, stressing that simple safety measures can help protect road users during periods of heavy rainfall.

The advisory comes as rain and strong winds are expected to affect parts of the UAE on Monday, according to the National Center of Meteorology (NCM). Hail was reported early in the morning in Al Rams and northern areas of Ras Al Khaimah, with videos circulating on social media showing hail showers at dawn.

Overnight rainfall was also recorded in parts of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, while scattered showers in Al Ain brought cooler temperatures and some relief as unstable weather conditions continued across the country’s northern and eastern regions.