Modification of Sharjah’s central transport artery, Al-Wahda Highway, will be completed by August this year, Sheikh Khalid bin Sakr Al-Qasimi, director of the Sharjah Directorate of Public Works, told the press. Most of the remaining work on the project, which was launched in October 2008, will be completed by June 2010, when it is planned to open the main bridge for the traffic in the Abu Shagar region and the adjacent roads.
The construction of a 1800-meter-long bridge cost the emirate’s treasury 565 million dirhams (US $ 157). In each direction, it has two lanes that connect the city of Sharjah with the Dubai-Dade highway. The roads adjacent to the viaduct will offer three lanes. Also in the summer the tunnel under construction here will be commissioned. The name for the new bridge has not yet been chosen, but it is known that the right of choice was given to the ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi.
Modification of the main highway of the city of Sharjah has become not only costly, but also a difficult event. Every day, the highway passes at least 250,000 cars, and construction work had to be carried out in parts, so as not to completely aggravate the situation of drivers. The project budget amounted to 841 million dirhams (US $ 234). "Despite all the difficulties, we will finish the project ahead of schedule, and already in August, motorists will be able to fully appreciate the fruits of our efforts," Sheikh Khalid bin Sakr Al-Qasimi commented.
