Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is constructing 19 truck rest stops and lay-bys across several ‘hotspots’ in Dubai in a joint venture with the private sector.

The project includes three Integrated Truck Lay-bys: one in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and two in partnership with Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration.

In cooperation with ADNOC, RTA will also construct 16 truck rest stops in Dubai covering six key locations, strategic roads, and logistics hubs that attract a huge number of trucks daily.

These include Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Emirates Road, Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Jebel Ali – Lehbab Road, and Al Aweer Road.

The total area of the 19 truck rest stops and lay-bys is more than 300,000 sq. m., with a capacity to accommodate over 1,000 trucks and heavy vehicles.

The three Integrated Truck Lay-bys provide a host of services that step up the safety and wellbeing of drivers, such as diesel-refuelling stations, motels, maintenance workshops, restaurants, administrative buildings, prayer rooms, driving training centres, clinics, pharmacies, exchange shops, laundry, and other support services and facilities for the safety and wellbeing of heavy vehicle drivers.

The truck rest stops include service facilities, prayer rooms, diesel refuelling stations, restaurants, maintenance workshops, and rest areas for drivers.

The three Integrated Trucks Lay-bys encompass a total area of over 226,000 sq. m., each with a capacity ranging from 120 to 200 trucks and heavy vehicles.

The lay-by to be built by Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration is located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road near Jebel Ali Free Zone and Al Maktoum International Airport. It spans 100,000 sq. m. with a capacity of about 200 trucks.

The second layby, to be built by ADNOC, is situated near Emirates Road, next to the Al Tayy Racetrack. It has a 76,000 sq. m. area and has a capacity of 150 trucks, said RTA in its statement. 0

The third layby, again courtesy of Almutakamela, is located nearby the entry to the Dubai Industrial City (DIC) and covers 51,000 sq. m., with a capacity of approximately 120 trucks.

Meanwhile, each of the Trucks Rest Stops spans an area from 5,000 to 10,000 sq. m., with a capacity to accommodate 30 to 40 trucks.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of RTA executive directors board, said: “The construction of trucks rest stops and lay-bys contributes significantly to improving traffic safety, reducing truck related accidents by up to 50%, streamlining the traffic flow during truck ban times, increasing traffic awareness of truck drivers about traffic rules, and resolving the problem of parking trucks on main roads and residential areas.”

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The region’s first event created for B2B and B2C professional fleets wanting to make the switch to new forms of mobility and those already on their journey to a greener future.

Governments and authorities across the region are investing billions into green transportation helping to foster business and consumer demand for cleaner forms of mobility.

This is changing the business fundamentals of B2B and B2C professional fleets who must consider how they can adjust to this changing landscape.

The Green Fleet Summit is a new kind of event that will gather car rental companies, fleet services and fleet owners of all forms of transportation and mobility services to discuss how they can join others who have made the transition to being cleaner, greener and more profitable.

The Green Fleet Summit is a conference where debate will encouraged and new benchmarks discussed. It will also provide practical advice in areas such as investment in charging infrastructure and route planning for vehicles.

And, uniquely, delegates will have the opportunity to experience and test the very latest electric and hybrid vehicles entering the market. By exploring the vehicles coming to the market delegates will able to determine which car, van or mobility solution is suitable for their business requirements.

With COP28 around the corner, this is an event that will help companies managing their own fleet or relying on fleet services to understand how they can continue to evolve and what choices they should make to be competitive.

“We want an event that cuts to the chase on behalf of professional fleets that are considering whether it is worth making the jump to electric or other alternatives to fossil fuels. We also want to bring together those that are already making their switch and the vehicles they are using. In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to fleets, OEMs and mobility experts who can help guide the sector through this daunting but exciting time,” said head of content Stephen White, Truck and Fleet Middle East.

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Arada has launched Saro, the seventh and final phase of Masaar, ahead of time, as sales hit US $640mn in H1 2023. Masaar is the developer’s mega-residential woodland project, which is taking shape in the Al Suyoh district of New Sharjah.

Valued at $2.6bn, the Masaar master plan features 3,000 homes spread over seven gated districts, all of which are linked by a green spine featuring over 50,000 trees.

Investor interest in the nature-inspired homes and award-winning master plan of the project has risen strongly, with 813 villas and townhouses sold in Masaar in the first half of 2023 alone, the developer noted.

Meanwhile, construction on 1,416 homes in the project’s first three residential districts, Sendian, Kaya and Robinia is under way, and the first homes are scheduled to be delivered later in 2023. The construction contract for the fourth, fifth and sixth phases, Azalea, Sarai and Sequoia, will be awarded in the coming months.

The Saro district consists of two, three, and four-bedroom townhouses and four, five and six-bedroom villas, including the up-market Saro Forest Signature Villas. Smart features come as standard at every Saro home, while larger villas offer additional privacy, multiple lounges, terraces and swimming pools. All homes at Saro are scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2026, the statement explained.

Shimmy Mathew, Group CFO of Arada said, “The intense buyer interest that we have seen in Masaar since its launch has made this one of the most popular and bestselling master communities anywhere in the UAE. Saro represents the last chance for buyers to invest in Masaar and we therefore expect demand to be high. Interest in Masaar has grown even more rapidly since the completion of the central precinct, which has given owners an opportunity to experience what living in the community will be like, as well the recent decision by the Sharjah government to allow all nationalities to buy freehold in the emirate.”

Located on the east side of the Masaar master plan, all homes at Saro are located within a few minutes’ walk from Masaar Central, the community hub which features entertainment, leisure, wellness and fitness facilities along with direct access to Masaar’s forested landscape, outdoor amphitheatre, children’s waterplay area and a skate park.

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The Kingspan Group has acquired a 51% controlling stake in Germany-based Steico SE for approximately US $282mn. The firm said it has an option to acquire a further 10% of shares in the German company in the future.

Steico specialises in natural insulation and wood-based building envelope products, and operates four large production sites comprising 27 lines in Poland and France, with additional capacity nearing completion.

“The acquisition of a majority stake in Steico represents an exciting next step in our strategy to provide the full spectrum of insulation products. Its suite of wood-based building envelope solutions broadens our ability to enable our customers to meet their sustainability and energy performance needs. Kingspan’s global routes to market, paired with our drive to innovate and widen the applications of Steico’s current technologies, are key to our plans to bring Steico bio-based solutions to the next level,” said Gene Murtagh, CEO of Kingspan.

Udo Schramek, CEO of Steico added, “We are now entering the next phase of growth and are very enthusiastic about the collaboration opportunities Kingspan brings, in both the existing Steico range and across the Kingspan portfolio and geographies. I am excited about the future for Steico and about being invested in the future growth of both companies.”

The existing Steico executive management will be retained, and upon closing of the deal Kingspan said it would seek “fair representation” on Steico’s administrative board.

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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued a law regulating urban planning in Dubai, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai.

The law seeks to develop an integrated and effective urban planning system that encourages investment, sustainable development, prosperity and improves the quality of life for citizens. It also aims to ensure the security and safety of the emirate’s community, enhance governance of the urban planning sector, define the responsibilities of related authorities, and improve cooperation, coordination and integration among them.

The law also seeks to enhance the efficiency of preparing and implementing plans, strategies, and policies related to urban planning, monitoring and gauging their results and achieving the principles of justice, equality, transparency and accountability. In addition, it will contribute to establishing a process for environmental impact assessment, creating a strategic framework for evaluation in Dubai.

The first step in implementing the law will be the setting-up of a new ‘Supreme Committee for Urban Planning’, composed of representatives of relevant authorities responsible for urban planning in Dubai, who will in turn be appointed through a resolution issued by the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The law defines the tasks and responsibilities of the Supreme Committee, including setting the general policy for urban planning in Dubai and defining the objectives of urban development within the framework of the approved goals and strategies.

Meanwhile, the existing Supreme Committee for Urban Planning, established by Executive Council Resolution No 18 of 2021, will continue to exercise its tasks and responsibilities until the Supreme Committee is re-formed by a resolution issued by the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai in accordance with the provisions of the new law.

Moreover, the ‘Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’ is considered the approved structural plan for the emirate of Dubai, and Law No 16 of 2023 assigns Dubai Municipality with the sole responsibility of regulating the urban planning sector in Dubai. The law also grants Dubai Municipality with the authority to coordinate with relevant entities and authorities that oversee special development zones and free zones, if necessary, enabling it to carry out the tasks and responsibilities specified by this Law.

As per the law, it is prohibited for any person to carry out or allow any development works in Dubai without obtaining related permits. Every person must ensure compliance with applicable legislations in the emirate, while executing development works and be fully in line with the conditions of permits that are issued.

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ALEC Engineering & Contracting subsidiary, LINQ, has received a new modular construction license from the Dubai Municipality to begin a pilot project for a G+6 building.

According to a statement, the initial system approval allows LINQ to pilot the design and build of highly sustainable, customised modular G+6 units for commercial or residential developments, using cutting edge technology, new systems and materials. The approval is part of Dubai Municipality’s ongoing contribution to making Dubai one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable cities.

The initial system approval was granted at a ceremony held at LINQ’s manufacturing facility, which is said to be one of the largest of its kind in the GCC, in Dubai Industrial City. The ceremony was attended by several officials from Dubai Municipality, as well as top executives from Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), ALEC, LINQ and other stakeholders.

“The license to pilot modular construction of a G+6 unit is yet another demonstration of the vision of the Dubai government and its eagerness to be the global hub for construction innovation. At LINQ, we are honoured to be the first organisation to be awarded this license and get an opportunity to showcase the viability of modular construction for both residential and commercial projects in Dubai,” said Bashar Kayali, General Manager at LINQ Modular.

The size of the construction market in the UAE was estimated to be US $86.7bn in 2022, and is projected to grow at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of more than 3% between 2024 and 2071.

“The pace and scale of developments in Dubai is truly impressive and in line with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, we at Dubai Municipality are keen to ensure that this momentum is maintained in the most sustainable manner possible,” explained Eng. Ahmed Al Salami, Principle Research & Building Studies at Dubai Municipality.

“We are therefore proud to support innovative organisations such as LINQ that are pioneering advanced construction techniques such as modular construction. The introduction of this paradigm will translate to the more rapid and controlled production of high-quality buildings which can meet the needs of a wide range of stakeholders, from the hospitality sector to residential developments and even commercial developments like malls and offices,” he elaborated.

The modular units will be built at LINQ’s 300,000sqft manufacturing facility. With a workforce of 1,000 employees, the facility has the capacity to produce 1,900 units per year.

A McKinsey & Co report found that modular production can speed up the construction process by as much as 50%, while reducing costs by 20%.

Aligning with the UAE government’s vision for sustainability and advanced techniques in construction, LINQ offers precision-built, modern buildings with an unparalleled focus on sustainability and the industry’s highest quality standards and best practices. The company’s modular building designs have been created using BIM (Building Information Modelling) software, ensuring each structure only uses the required amount of material with a minimal amount of waste, the statement concluded.

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According to Shada Radi, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, a special group has been established to oversee the implementation of a project to build 1,200km of road and rail infrastructure that will link the country to Europe and other countries in the Middle East.

Once complete, the US $16.9bn ‘Route of Development’ project will run from Iraq’s northern border with Turkey to the southern Gulf region. The plan comprises the construction of approximately 15 stations along the route, including major cities such as Basra, Baghdad, Mosul, and locations up to the Turkish border.

Plans for the route include the introduction of high-speed trains operating at speeds of up to 300km per hour, with connections to local industrial hubs and including an energy component with the potential for oil and gas pipelines.

As per Radi, the primary objective of the project is to enhance economic cooperation between Iraq, Turkey, and Europe. A Reuters report said the project aims to connect Iraq’s oil-rich southern Grand Faw Port to Turkey, positioning the nation as a pivotal transit hub, significantly reducing travel time between Asia and Europe, potentially rivalling the Suez Canal.

Preparatory work is already underway with soil surveys being conducted to determine the optimal path for both road and rail connections. Radi noted that the newly established unit is also responsible for engaging with other countries to explore potential contributions to the realisation of the project.

“We perceive this project as a fundamental pillar for a sustainable non-oil economy, serving Iraq’s neighbours and the region while contributing to economic integration efforts,” said Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al Sudani while presenting the project to representatives from other countries.

Any country wishing to participate would have the opportunity to contribute to a portion of the project, the Iraqi parliament’s transport committed stated. The committee also estimated a project completion timeline of three to five years.

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The renovation of Pennsylvania Station’s Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Concourse in New York City has been completed at a cost of US $414mn according to Skanska.

The 27-month design-build project resulted in the concourse featuring widened corridor, raised ceiling heights, upgraded lighting and wayfinding, improved mechanical and electrical systems, and new architectural finishes.

“In order to best accommodate and enhance the commuting experience for the 600,000 passengers that utilise LIRR’s 33rd Street corridor daily, deciphering a path to improving the station’s circulation and traffic flow without disrupting daily train service was paramount,” said Michael Viggiano, Executive Vice President of Skanska’s East Coast civil operations.

He added, “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the completion of this project and to have played a crucial role in reconstructing one of New York City’s most highly trafficked transit hubs.”

The project was initially awarded out in 2020 by Penn District Station Developer with the goal of modernising and widening LIRR’s 33rd Street train hall corridor. Skanska, AECOM and SOM had to work out how to renovate the hall without disrupting passenger usage of the station each day.

Construction on the project began in January of 2021 and the team achieved substantial completion in March 2023.

“The most heavily used concourse of America’s busiest train station has been entirely transformed, both visually and functionally. The improvements make commuting more convenient, while also allowing this transit hub to have the capacity and accessibility to meet New York’s growing transportation needs. We’re proud to have worked with the MTA and our partners to broaden and revitalize the concourse while also minimizing impacts to LIRR commuters and the station’s operations,” concluded Thomas Prendergast, AECOM’s New York Metro Executive.

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Azizi Developments has announced that steady progress is being made on Creek Views II, a AED350m ($95.2m) luxury development in Dubai Healthcare City, with 50% of the work already completed.

A 587-unit residential development, Creek Views II boasts a mix of 116 studios, 436 one- and 35 two-bedroom apartments and is scheduled for handover in Q1 next year.

The Dubai developer said the project’s structure is now 95% complete, with blockwork being at 73%. The internal plaster and MEP have reached 61% and 26% respectively, while HVAC and tiling works are now at 25% and 14%.

External works stand at 20%, with overall finishes now being 16% complete. The total manpower has also been increased to 1,020.

According to Azizi, Creek Views II’s unique design represents Dubai’s journey from its traditional past to a modern, reinvented future.

Creek Views II features two swimming pools, a sauna, a steam room, a fully equipped gym, and a children’s play area, among a range of other premium amenities.

Giving a project update, CEO Farhad Azizi said: “The rapid construction progress we’re making at Creek Views II in Dubai Healthcare City excites us all. The contractor’s performance is exceptional, meeting our rigorous quality control and assurance standards while adhering to – and even exceeding – the project’s timeline for delivery. With its strategic location, outstanding design, impeccable construction, and wide array of premium amenities within and surrounding the building, Creek Views II is sure to enhance the lives of those will reside in it. This vision is shared by our stakeholders, and evident in the high demand exhibited by both local and international investors.”

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