WAM Dubai, 19th May 2012 (WAM) -- The Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently endorsed in a meeting chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, the awarding of two contracts for constructing internal roads at Al-Qusais 3, and Al-Qouz-4 at a cost of AED38 million. The move comes in the context of RTA efforts to improve roads network to accommodate the growing needs of the demographic and urban expansion seen by the Emirate under RTA's vision of providing Safe and Smooth Transport for All.

"The two projects represent the initial phase of the 5-Year Plan 2012-2016 endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for paving internal roads at several residential districts in Dubai Emirate at a cost of about one billion dirham. The initial phase of the Plan covers five residential communities namely: Hatta and Al Qusais 3 in addition to Al Qouz 2, 3 and 4," said Al Tayer.

"The Internal Roads Project at Al Qusais 3, which covers an area of 225 hectares, encompasses the construction of roads extending 6 km along with street lighting works and the construction of parking slots for some mosques and public schools in the area. Al Qusais 3 has a vibrant demographic activity with urbanization rate exceeding 60 per cent in the area. Construction works in the Project, which costs about AED23 million, is set to start in June this year and takes about 9 months to complete.

"The Project of Constructing Internal Roads at Al Qouz 4 comprises the construction of roads extending 8 km, and lighting and parking works along with storm-water drainage services, at a cost of AED15 million. Construction works are set to start this week and the project is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2013.

"Early this month, the RTA awarded a contract for constructing internal roads at Al Warqaa 1, 2, 3 and 4 at a cost of about AED156.631 million. The Project includes construction and lighting works of roads stretching 125 km; comprising the construction of 89 km-long roads, and improvements on existing roads extending 36 km. It also includes the construction of roadside parking slots, parking works for some mosques and public schools in the area, and all necessary road works such as road marking, and traffic signals," elaborated Al Tayer.

It is worth-mentioning that the 5-Year Plan (2012-2016) for Constructing Internal Roads at Residential Districts in Dubai Emirate, which has been endorsed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, covers the construction of internal roads in about 16 areas where urbanization rates range from 20 to 80 per cent, though drop in some areas to as low as 5 per cent. Phase I of the Project, the cost of which is about AED150 million, covers five residential communities namely: Hatta and Al Qusais 3 in addition to Al Qouze 2, 3 and 4. Phase II, which will start in 2013 at a cost of about 140 million dirham, covers three residential districts namely; Muhaisna 2, and Al Barsha South 1 and 2. Phase III, which starts in 2014 at a cost of about 130 million dirham, covers Al Mamzar, Al Nahdah 1, and Oud Mateena 2. Phase IV, which starts in 2015 and costs about 140 million dirham, covers the construction of roads in 3 districts: Nad El Sheba 4, Oud Mateena 1, and Khawaneej 2. Phase V, which starts in 2016 at a cost of 250 million dirham, covers road works in Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1, Al Qusais Industrial Areas 3, 4 '&' 5, and Al Awir 1.

WAM/TF