Watch out for road diversions in Discovery Gardens and Dubai Investment Park (DIP) as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) steps up construction of Route 2020.

The 15km-long Route 2020 is an extension of Dubai Metro, branching out from Nakheel Harbour and Towers station on the Red Line.

Work on the project began last year and the RTA has now announced road diversions in some of the areas that the route will pass through, paving way for the construction.

The diversions are planned in phases, with the phase one coming into effect in DIP in the first week of June, when Street 70 will be closed for traffic and alternative routes be provided.

Traffic will be diverted to Street 3 and Street 14, which will be widened in order to accommodate more vehicles, said Maitha Mohammad Bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.

According to Bin Adai, despite closure of Street 70, residents of the area will be allowed to access their buildings, while an alternative access wills also be provided between streets 70 and 3.

Bin Adai said that phase two of the diversion will be introduced in mid-June and both will be in place till work in the segment is completed.

“The RTA is keen on completing the infrastructures of Route 2020 according to plan and schedule. We have charted out a plan to carry out temporary traffic diversions for Route 2020 Project over several phases during the period of construction,” said Bi Adai.

However, she added, that the authority will ensure detours will have minimum impact on the flow of traffic on public or internal roads of residential complexes and business communities impacted by project.

“The project teams and contracting firms will spare no effort in ensuring the smooth traffic flow, and alleviating the impact on residents of the neighbourhood until the completion of all work,” she noted.

She called on motorists and road users to pay attention to traffic diversions, comply with directional signs for their safety, and avoid triggering congestions through their driving behaviour.

Earlier in March, RTA introduced a diversion in Discovery Gardens after narrowing a portion of Ibn Batuta road between Street 7 and Street 12. The diversion will remain in place until December 2019.

Route 2020 stretches for 15km from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station on the Red Line to the site of Expo 2020.

The route runs on an 11.8km elevated track and 3.5km underground, supported by seven stations, including an interchange station, a station at the Expo site, three elevated stations and two underground stations.

The project is expected to be ready by early 2020.