Dubai opened Sunday a new highway around the affluent Gulf emirate, which will be the only route open to heavy trucks during rush hours, officials said.
The 50-kilometer (30 miles) road links the Jebel Ali free zone and container port in the south with industrial areas and the emirate of Sharjah in the north, bypassing the center of Dubai.
The 225-million dollar project aims to reduce congestion in Dubai.
"All the trucks will now be using only the ring road," Director of Roads Nasser Ahmed Saeed told Sunday's Gulf News. "Because of this, 25 percent of the traffic will be reduced on these main roads.
The ban on heavy trucks also came into effect on Sunday, forcing them on to the new highway during morning, midday and evening rush hours -- DUBAI (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
