Road diversions that will eventually relocate the traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road on an 800 metre strip are set to start on July 26, several local media outlets reported this week.
Road users will not be affected until the road diversions will be opened for traffic on October 25.
The construction of the road diversions will be an interesting sight, as 12 lanes on the busiest road of the emirates will be shifted to make place for the construction of a bridge that will ultimately cross the extension of Dubai Canal.
The six lanes in the direction of Abu Dhabi near Safa Park will first be diverted to the adjacent area on the right-hand side. During a later stage, traffic heading towards Sharjah will be diverted to what is now Abu Dhabi bound, to make place for constructions on the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road that borders Business Bay.
“The number of lanes during the diversion stage will be equal to the existing number of lanes in order to make sure that such diversions will not have a negative impact on the existing traffic volumes, and accordingly avoid any congestion or delay caused by construction works," explained Mattar Al Tayer earlier.
While traffic is diverted to surrounding areas, a bridge of 8 lanes in each direction will be constructed, enabling the passage-way of Dubai Canal from Business Bay towards Al Safa Park.
At a later stage, Dubai Canal will be extended to cross the park and two more roads; Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, to be reunited with the Arabian Sea.
The canal is expected to be completed in September 2016.