ABU DHABI // Three federal road projects to interconnect regions of the UAE have been given the go-ahead. The Ministry of Public Works has approved roads between Sharjah and Al Dhaid, near the Oman border, and Khor Fakkan, reported state news agency Wam.
“The ministry’s policy in the field of roads is to upgrade the efficiency of the current network, especially with regard to safety requirements,” said Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works.
“To this end, the Ministry of Works has adopted three projects for the construction of vital federal roads that connect different parts of the country, in order to support the state’s infrastructure system.”
The Sharjah to Dhaid Road will stretch 35km and is split into three phases.
A consultant specialising in road projects has been contracted to complete the design of the first phase of the project from the fifth interchange to eighth in both directions.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
The final designs for the UAE and Oman border towns Shaam to Al Dara Road have been completed.
It will help to improve traffic flow and boost tourism and trade in the northern region.
The project, is expected to be completed during the second quarter 2016, supports the plan to strengthen the federal road network and link the northern and southern regions to eastern and western regions.
The third project adopted by the Ministry of Public Works involves the completion of the Western Khor Fakkan Road, which has been assigned to a consultant.
The proposal is for a complementary route to the existing Khor Fakkan, E99, and the Western Khor Fakkan Ring Road to improve traffic flow in Khor Fakkan.
“The Ministry of Public Works is striving to keep up with the global best practices in implementation of road projects, in order to bring about a real shift in the development system related to the ministry’s functions”, said Mr Al-Nuaimi.
“The UAE ranks first in the world in terms of quality of roads, and excels many of the developed countries, thanks to the wise policy pursued by the Government of the UAE towards a balanced and sustainable development to secure high quality of life to all its citizens.”
“In order to support the State’s infrastructure system, and reflect the role of the Ministry of Public Works in realising the UAE 2021 and the National Agenda, which envisage the UAE to be among the best countries in the world by 2021 in infrastructure and road network.”
The ministry is committed to help improve the mobility of citizens and residents in the UAE, he said.
According to the Minister of Public Works, such projects are crucial to provide sustainable development in the UAE.
Infrastructure projects play an important role in driving economic growth and social welfare, by improving mobility between the emirates and cities.
The minister concluded by reiterating the ministry’s desire to build strategic partnerships with all stakeholders to improve its services.
newsdesk@thenational.ae