RTA Awards AED 165 Million Contract For Enhanced Access To Mall Of The Emirates

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Majid Al Futtaim Group, has awarded a contract to enhance the entrances to Mall of the Emirates and nearby streets. This AED165 million project also aims to improve pedestrian and cycling lanes.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, stated: "The project involves the construction of a 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road with a single lane, providing direct access to the Mall of the Emirates parking lots for motorists coming from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali. Additionally, the current ramp at Umm Suqeim intersection will be widened southward by improving the intersection to facilitate the movement of vehicles from Umm Suqeim Street to the existing bridge leading to the mall's parking lots."

Further works include improving surface roads extending 2.5 km around the Mall, developing three signalised surface intersections, modifying the bus station at Mall of the Emirates Metro Station, converting the street next to Kempinski Hotel from one-way to two-way, and enhancing pedestrian and cycling lanes. These improvements also cover paving, lighting, traffic signals, rainwater drainage system, and landscaping works," explained Al Tayer.

"The project will significantly reduce travel time for traffic coming from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali to the Mall of the Emirates, cutting it from 10 minutes to just one minute. It will also reduce the travel time for motorists coming from Umm Suqeim from 15 minutes to 8 minutes, thereby enhancing traffic efficiency and safety on the roads surrounding the Mall," added Al Tayer.

Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005 and attracts over 40 million visitors annually. The mall features 454 stores of leading fashion brands, 96 restaurants and cafes, and unique entertainment venues such as Ski Dubai and VOX Cinema. The mall also includes five-star hotels: Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, and Novotel Suites Mall Avenue. Additionally, it is directly connected to Mall of the Emirates Metro Station via a pedestrian bridge.

This comprehensive project aims not only at easing vehicular movement but also at enhancing overall accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The modifications are expected to create a more efficient traffic flow around one of Dubai's busiest shopping destinations.

With inputs from WAM