August 2009
The first two interchanges of the largest road project in Sharjah, UAE – designed by Halcrow – officially opened to the public six days early, on 4 August 2009.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqer Al Qassimi, director general of the Sharjah Public Works Department, drove over the flying saucer junction and through the cultural square underpass before members of the public were granted access ahead of schedule.
Halcrow’s scope of work for the project – part of the King Abdul Aziz Road improvement scheme which began in 2006 – includes concept design through to construction management. Coming in at a total cost to the Directorate of Public Works of £128 million, the entire project is due for completion in September 2010.
Once complete, the project will boast the first three-level interchange and the first single-point diamond interchange in Sharjah, significantly improving traffic flow in and around the city.
“All the team should be very proud of delivering the project ahead of schedule,” said project director Adrian Manning. “This has been a fast track project, with all the difficulties associated with constructing major urban infrastructure.”
Journalists from Dubai-based Construction Week magazine visited the site before the official opening. Click the following links to read the magazine’s articles on the Wahda road milestone and phase one opening.