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Hamdan bin Mohammed opens Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project
DUBAI, 29th May, 2022 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince o
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.
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.
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This stretch of Dubai Al-Ain road connects the Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirates roads. Courtesy WAM
The UAE’s long-awaited passenger rail network has taken another major step forward after Etihad Rail confirmed the completion of its first passenger station in Fujairah ahead of operations launching later this year.
Located in the Madinat Al Hilal area, the new station spans more than 51,900 square metres and is expected to become a key transport hub linking Fujairah with Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A new way to travel across the UAE
Officials say the launch of passenger rail services could significantly reshape travel between emirates, offering faster and more comfortable journeys while reducing pressure on roads.
Travel at 200km/h
- Travel time between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi will take around 105 minutes
- Trains will reach speeds of up to 200km/h
- Each train will accommodate up to 400 passengers
The first operational phase is expected to launch simultaneously across routes connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.
Strategically located near key landmarks
The new station sits close to several major destinations in Fujairah, including:
- Fujairah International Airport — approximately 12 minutes away
- Umbrella Beach Corniche — around six minutes away
- Sakamkam Fort — roughly five minutes away
Officials believe the railway connection will help boost tourism, investment and economic activity across the emirate.
VIP lounges, Wi-Fi and dining onboard
The passenger experience is also expected to feel far more modern than traditional regional rail travel.
Station and trains will include:
- Retail areas
- VIP lounges
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Dining carriages
- Automated payment machines
- Passenger service offices
- Modern waiting areas and digital signage
Built with strong local contribution
Etihad Rail also revealed that around 70 per cent of materials used across the national railway network were sourced locally through 97 UAE suppliers, highlighting the project’s broader economic impact.
While official schedules and ticketing details are still expected to be announced closer to the launch date, the completion of Fujairah Passenger Station is a major step towards rail travel in the UAE.
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First look at Etihad Rail’s first passenger station with VIP lounges and high-speed Wi-Fi
