Dh146m Back Road open to traffic today

The 17km dual carriageway with four lanes on both side and 16-metre islands at the centre for safety, was constructed at a cost of Dh146 million, and will be open to traffic from today.

Announcing this, Qassim Sultan, Director General of Dubai Municipality, noted that since the Back Road or Al Khail Road, as it is now known, stretching from Oman Road to the Emirates Road runs almost parallel to the Shaikh Zayed Road and connects the residential and industrial areas of Al Quoz, a lot of traffic comprising both heavy and light vehicles, will get diverted to it.

Mr Sultan said the new road would back up the Shaikh Zayed Road by assimilating a remarkable portion of traffic from this arterial road of the emirate.

"This is very much necessary now especially as the Shaikh Zayed Road undergoes a major revamp involving replacement of the existing bridges and interchanges," Mr Sultan said.

Sultan noted that the road was named Back Road because it is located behind the major establishments on the Shaikh Zayed Road. The new road will also serve Al Quoz Industrial Area, Al Barsha residential area and the future developments planned in the Defence Area.

The Back Road, which is considered to be a major axis parallel to the Shaikh Zayed Road stretching to Al Aweer Road, passes through Fruits and Vegetables Market Interchange, Ras Al Khor Interchange, Bu Kidra Interchange, the southern part of Al Barsha area and culminates in the Emirates Road.

The first phase of the project involving a 4km stretch of road from the Dubai-Oman Road to the North of Al Quoz Industrial Area was opened in August last year and the second phase, a 7km stretch from the North of Al Quoz Industrial Area to south of Al Barsha Area was opened in February this year. The last phase involves 4km from the south of Al Barsha Area to Emirates Road, which was completed this month.

Six at-grade junctions are constructed along this facility in the form of either roundabouts or right-in or right-out and a grade separation interchange in the form of a full cloverleaf at Junction 16.

Mr Sultan said the project also included the construction of roadway signage, street lighting, diversion or protection of utilities. He noted that the path of the Back Road was chosen on the basis of detailed studies carried out by the Roads Department. It passes through Nad Al Sheba close to the Camel Race Track, goes along the South-Eastern parts of Al Quoz Industrial Area, before being linked to the Emirates Road. There is an interchange at the Dubai-Oman Road that links Al Safa Intersection with Nad Al Sheba, he explained.

The Back Road has four major roundabouts that can be converted into interchanges as and when need arises. The first and second roundabouts will connect the residential and industrial areas of Al Quoz, while the third will connect Umm Suqeim from over the fourth interchange on the Shaikh Zayed Road.

Mr Sultan said, "The fourth roundabout, from where a part of the road joins the Shaikh Zayed Road towards the Palm Island, has been replaced with a proper interchange keeping in mind major developments of commercial projects and the traffic volume because of the Palm, will ensure smoother traffic flow."

The project also includes the construction of a 5km drainage network, over 12km irrigation lines and ducts, 24km Etisalat's duct work, relocation of electric lines, 3km and 4.5km of protection work for electrical ducts and waterlines respectively, 54km of street lighting cable, and installation of 340 street light poles and 35 overhead sign gantries.

The entire road has been fenced on both sides.