In a significant development aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and under the oversight of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a substantial contract for improving the infrastructure around the Mall of the Emirates.
This initiative, costing approximately Dhs 165 million, aims to enhance roadways, entrances, and pedestrian areas to better accommodate urban growth and traffic demands.
New bridge – Mall of the Emirates
The upgrade project includes the construction of a new 300-meter bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road. This bridge will feature a single lane and provide direct access to the Mall of the Emirates’ parking facilities for drivers coming from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali. Additionally, improvements will be made to the existing ramp at the Umm Suqeim intersection, which will be widened to better facilitate traffic flow from Umm Suqeim Street to the mall’s parking.
The project will also focus on several key areas:
- Road Widening: Surface roads around the Mall, extending 2.5 kilometers, will be enhanced.
- Intersection Upgrades: Three signalized intersections will be developed to improve traffic flow.
- Bus Station Modification: The bus station at the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station will be upgraded.
- Street Conversion: The street adjacent to the Kempinski Hotel will be converted from one-way to two-way traffic.
- Pedestrian and Cycling Facilities: Enhancements will include better pedestrian and cycling lanes, as well as improvements in paving, lighting, traffic signals, drainage systems, and landscaping.
- Expected Benefits
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, highlighted the project’s benefits. “This initiative will drastically cut travel time for drivers heading to the Mall of the Emirates. For instance, the journey from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali will be reduced from 10 minutes to just 1 minute. Similarly, travel time from Umm Suqeim will decrease from 15 minutes to 8 minutes. These improvements will significantly enhance traffic efficiency and safety in the area.”
About Mall of the Emirates
Since opening in 2005, Mall of the Emirates has become a major destination, attracting over 40 million visitors annually. The mall boasts 454 stores, 96 dining options, and notable entertainment facilities, including Ski Dubai and the largest VOX Cinema in the Middle East. It also features luxury accommodations with the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, and Novotel Suites Mall Avenue. A pedestrian bridge connects the mall directly to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station, enhancing accessibility for visitors.
This extensive infrastructure project is set to significantly improve traffic conditions and visitor experience, reinforcing the mall’s status as a premier shopping and entertainment hub in Dubai.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
