Closure of National Paints R/A: Day one goes smooth
SHARJAH — Traffic was not much affected after the National Paints Roundabout was closed on Monday noon, but motorists foresee a rush on Ittihad Road when they travel to Dubai from Sharjah in the morning and return in the evening in the coming days.
They say that Emirates Road, Ittihad Road and Dubai Bypass can be used as alternative routes to travel in to and out of Sharjah after the closure of National Paints Roundabout. Those who are working in Jebel Ali or Fujairah and living in Sharjah will have to take Ittihad Road because Dubai Bypass will be a long route.
A view of the National Paints Roundabout in Sharjah. Shalie Alegarme, a Sharjah resident, said that coming back from her worksite in Jebel Ali on Monday afternoon through Emirates Road took 47 minutes only, from the Ittihad intersection to her flat in Al Nahda. “There was no rush at all.”
However, Jerome Lamsa, who is working in Dubai and residing near Abdul Nasser Square in Sharjah, said that by 4pm on Monday, Emirates Road experienced a heavy rush and an accident on Al Khail Road contributed to it. But, traffic was still smooth when he passed that area. “Before the closure, it used to take 30 minutes to a maximum of one hour to get in and out of Sharjah. However, if motorists take Ittihad Road as an alternative route, it will definitely create rush in the morning and afternoon hours from today.”
Mohammed Ali, who is working in Fujairah and residing in Al Qasimiya area, told Khaleej Times that he expected a rush on Ittihad Road from Tuesday morning. “But as of Monday afternoon, it was not felt yet as I returned from work after 4pm. “The rush may go for one to two hours if the majority take Ittihad Road.” The police in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and the Sharjah Department of Public Works initiated diversions and alternative routes to avoid traffic jams.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Captain Abdullah Mohammed Khatir, Director of Traffic Awareness at the Sharjah Police, said that diversion and detours would minimise and ease traffic congestion during the maintenance works.
A number of instruction signboards have been installed by the police to guide the motorists.
He explained that motorists coming from Dubai through Emirates Road and intend to go to Maleeha Road through University City will have to use the detour near the last building and take right directions.
The motorists willing to go to Fourth Industrial Area Roundabout will have to use the exit in the left.
Captain Khatir added that the motorists coming from the Fourth Industrial Area Intersection and going to Emirates Road will have to take the right exit and those who want to go to Maleeha Street can use the exit towards Maleeha.
Captain Khatir said that police patrols will work in shifts round the clock to monitor and organise traffic movement during the closure period. The patrols are also deployed at the fourth and fifth industrial area intersections. The traffic movement under the bridge of the fifth intersection will continue as normal for motorists coming from Dubai to Sharjah and vice versa.
He urged the motorists to cooperate with patrols and follow the instructions in the signboards to take the correct route. In case of any accident, motorists will have to move their cars from the street to the road shoulder to open traffic for other motorists.
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