Dubai has approved the first phase of a new 80-km road corridor linking the emirate with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with the initial stage costing about 3.5 billion dirhams ($953 million), the government said.

The project will include 72 bridges, 17 tunnels and 45 stormwater drainage culverts. It will support logistics traffic and pass through several key landmarks, most notably Al Maktoum International Airport, Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation Reserve and the Etihad Rail route, in addition to several residential and development areas.

To be developed in two phases, the New Fourth Corridor was today (September 16) approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.  The first phase will extend from Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah to Dubai-Al Ain Road.

On the new project, Sheikh Hamdan said spanning 80km, it is a strategic addition to Dubai's road network that will help boost its connectivity with the federal road network in addition to opening new horizons for urban and economic growth.

"It will also support future projects in line with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, thus reinforcing Dubai’s position as the world’s best city to live, work and visit," he stated. 

According to him, the project will be the fourth strategic corridor linking the UAE’s emirates, following Sheikh Zayed/Al Ittihad Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. 

It will strengthen connectivity between the emirates and facilitate movement between different areas. The corridor will also support integration between the road network and the transport system through connections to key projects such as Al Maktoum International Airport and Etihad Rail.

It will enhance the logistics and commercial transport sectors, supporting Dubai’s competitiveness as a global economic hub, keeping pace with urban expansion in new areas and enabling smoother traffic flow over the long term, he stated.

“Development in Dubai never stops, and building continues with a clear vision and unwavering determination. We remain committed to implementing major infrastructure and transport projects with high efficiency, working as one team to ensure that Dubai remains a global model for speed of delivery and leadership in development,” he added.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the RTA Board said this comes as part of Dubai’s plans and continuous efforts to develop integrated and sustainable infrastructure that enhances quality of life, keeps pace with the city’s rapid urban and population growth, and reinforces the emirate’s position as a global hub for smart mobility.

Al Tayer noted that the New Fourth Corridor represents a strategic addition to the UAE’s road network and reflects the leadership’s vision to strengthen connectivity between the emirates. The project will help divert through traffic, particularly trucks, away from urban areas, thereby easing pressure on existing road corridors and enhancing traffic flow and road safety.

"Phase 1 will extend approximately 30km from Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah to Dubai–Al Ain Road. It will include the construction of a through corridor comprising 12 lanes across both directions, reducing journey time by 60%, from 35 minutes to 14 minutes. The corridor will have a capacity of up to 24,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and will serve around 600,000 people," he noted.

This phase will also include a 55 lane-kilometre of at-grade roads, 2.5km of tunnels and 21km of bridges and ramps. It will also involve widening Dubai–Al Ain Road from three to four lanes in each direction between Emirates Road and Lehbab Road, in addition to upgrading four major intersections, he stated.

"Phase 2 will extend 50km from Dubai–Al Ain Road to Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi. It will comprise roads with 12 lanes across both directions and a capacity of 24,000 vehicles per hour," said Al Tayer. 

This phase will reduce journey time by 52%, from 50 minutes to 24 minutes, and will serve around 3.1 million people.

The second phase will also include approximately 190 lane-kilometres of at-grade roads, 3.5km of tunnels and 157km of bridges and ramps, he added.-TradeArabia News Service