RTA awards two contracts for Expo 2020 roads project
The RTA’s Expo Roads Improvement Project will be tackled in six phases
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded two contracts as part of Phase 1 and 2 of its Expo Roads Improvement Project. The contracts are worth $370m and will ensure the smooth flow of traffic to the Expo site and to future projects that will be built in the surrounding areas.
According to the RTA, the two phases consist of improving the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road at the intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and the construction of bridges on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to serve the traffic from and to Expo parking yard.
“The Improvement of the Roads Network for Expo is one of the biggest road projects currently undertaken by RTA to meet the needs of hosting Expo 2020 in Dubai. Due to the immense nature of the Project, it has been divided into six phases to ensure its timely delivery, well before the opening of Expo,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of RTA.
Al Tayer said that phase 1 includes converting the existing roundabout at the intersection of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Jebel Ali–Lehbab Road to a flyover, which will enable free traffic movement in all directions. The Jebel Ali–Lehbab Road will also be improved with the construction of two bridges of six lanes in each direction, along with the relevant turns and direct ramps to ensure a smooth flow of traffic from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to and from Abu Dhabi.
Two flyovers will be built on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to ensure free flowing entry and exit to the Expo site as part of phase 2. Roadworks extending 16km will also be built. The RTA says that the first intersection (Expo Junction) covers the building of two six-lane bridges to serve traffic inbound from Dubai, Sharjah and other emirates heading to the parking yard of Expo.
“The RTA has charted out a comprehensive plan to meet the needs of hosting Expo 2020 in Dubai and ensure safe and smooth mobility for visitors of Expo and associated events. Besides upgrading roads network, the plan also includes the construction of Route 2020 involving the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line 15 km from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020,” added Al Tayer.
