Al Houdh Interchange at the intersection of Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Yalayis Road is expected to open by the end of November this year, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.

The interchange is being built in place of Al Houdh roundabout.

About 80 per cent of the work on the interchange, including road works, lighting and utility lines, has been completed.

The completion of Al Houdh Interchange project will eliminate the traffic overlapping in the existing roundabout and ensure smooth vehicular flow in all directions. Traffic will flow smoothly from Al Yalayis Road to the east in the direction of the Dubai Investment Park, and to the west in the direction of the Shaikh Zayed Road and Jebel Ali Free Zone. It will also ensure smooth north-south traffic flow from the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Abu Dhabi and vice-versa.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: “The project comprises transforming Al Houdh roundabout from a signalised junction to a flyover, offering smooth traffic flow in all directions. It covers the construction of four  bridges along the stretch of Al Yalayis Road, comprising three lanes in each direction with a total length of 600 metres. It also includes modifying the path of impacted roads to ensure integrated traffic movement on the interchange.”

The project also includes widening the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from Jebel Ali to Lehbab roundabout up to the Interchange leading to Al Maktoum International Airport from three to six lanes in each direction over a 7km-long sector.

“The RTA had completed and opened this stage for motorists last February. Work is currently underway in widening a 4km-long sector extending from Jebel Ali to Lehbab roundabout northwards up to Al Houdh roundabout, and is set for completion with the opening of the flyover in November this year,” said Al Tayer.

The project also includes constructing a service road in both directions of the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in a sector extending 4km in each direction from Al Khail Road interchange to Al Houdh roundabout to ease the entry/exit from and to nearby areas.

“Completion rate on the road works, services and lighting has almost reached 87 per cent, and these parts of the project are set for opening by early October this year,” said Al Tayer.