Road authorities welcome suggestions

THE first phase of Al Maleeha area project is nearing completion with the finishing touches under progress. It is expected to open by the beginning of 2008, an official at Sharjah Directorate of Public Works (SDPW) said.

Engineer Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Al Hajri, Head of Road Department of SDPW told The Gulf Today that work on the first of five phases of Al Maleeha area project is almost nearing completion.

"We are currently working on the first phase of the project and particularly at the school area where we have constructed a two lanes road on each direction to accommodate the maximum number of cars."

Hajiri added: "We have already constructed a full clover leaf interchange on the Sharjah ring road with three lanes on each direction and are currently working on the final touches before inauguration. Another dumbbell interchange at the commercial muwailah area is also being constructed, the interchange comprises of three lanes on each direction. The second interchange is located near the school area and will definitely contribute in ending the traffic jams.

When asked whether the SDPW is planning to convert the National paints roundabout into an interchange operated by traffic signals as they have successfully done at Ali Bin Mohamed Al Abdoli square, Hajiri disclosed that they are currently studying plans to convert the national paints roundabout into an intersection.

Harjiri said that the SDPW has recently launched a special hotline for the projects of the roads department 800 - TOROQ, 800 - 86767.

"The new hotline was launched under the directives of Shaikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Member of the Sharjah Executive Council and the Director General of the SDPW. People can communicate with us by dialing the number and informing us of their suggestions or observations about the roads we are constructing or the existing roads and we are ready to listen and meet their demands."