Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a Dh611-million ($166 million) contract for the Sheikh Rashid Road-Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange.

The interchange, which is part of a major project to upgrade the Al Shindagha roads network, is due for completion in the last quarter of 2017.

The project is situated at the crossing of Sheikh Rashid Road heading northward towards Al Shindagha, with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road heading towards the junction of Al Kuwait Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road.

RTA director general and chairman Mattar Al Tayer said the project encompasses the construction of a bridge on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road and a tunnel on the Sheikh Rashid Road as well as a bridge stretching from Umm Harir Road in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Road.

Meanwhile, the upgrade at the Wafi Interchange will be completed shortly. The project encompasses construction of a three-lane bridge from Oud Metha Road in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Road and from there to the Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Saada Road, the flyover leading to the Dubai World Trade Centre, with a capacity for around 3,300 vehicles per hour.

• The RTA has opened a new bridge as part of the Dubai Water Canal project to ease traffic flow from Jumeirah Road and Al Aathar Road in the direction of Al Hadiqa Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.