A major Dubai road expansion scheme, which will more than double traffic capacity and ease access to a network of popular desert attractions, will open to motorists on Tuesday.
The Saih Al-Dahal Road Improvement Project will connect with entry points to the Al Qudra lakes, a cluster of man-made beauty spots, including the heart-shaped Love Lake, Swan Lake and Flamingo Lake.
A single-lane road that served the area has been replaced with a dual carriageway extending 11 kilometres, made up of two lanes in each direction, along with a central reservation and three roundabouts to ease movement.
It will boost traffic capacity from 1,800 to 4,000 in each direction.
The upgraded route will also link Saih Al-Salam Road with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
It is the latest part of an ambitious strategy by transport authorities aimed at reducing congestion, boosting road safety and enhancing the area's status as a leisure attraction.
The Love Lake, in Al Qudra desert, is shaped like two interlocking love hearts with trees planted beside the water to spell out the word 'love'.
First revealed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Instagram in November 2018, it has become a popular spot for residents and tourists.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, said: “The project complements a series of projects completed by RTA in the area, such as the 23-kilometre Dubai Cycling Track, which links with the existing cycling track at Saih Al-Salam running alongside Al Qudra Road at the Gateway of the Dubai Cycling Track in the direction of the Emirates Road.
"From there, it links with the Latifa bint Hamdan Road, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, Al Barari district and up to Nad Al Sheba community.
"The cycling track at Saih Al-Salam, which extends about 115km, is fitted with several amenities including outlets for renting bikes and accessories, a fully-equipped clinic, and 10 rest areas along the cycling path fitted with seats and bike racks.”
A number of important road schemes are still in the works.
Nine more roundabouts are being built to improve traffic flow and safety along with four camel and horse crossings, a cycling track, service roads, parking spaces and widening of the existing parking area at the Dubai International Endurance Village.
Street lighting and rainwater drainage work is also being carried out.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
