The Ras Al Khaimah Public Works and Services Department has finished 83 per cent work of the 36km-long Jebel Jais road. According to a top official, the construction work on the mega tourist project began in 2004, but no deadline was set for constructing the rocky road.
Ahmad Al Hammadi, Director of RAK Public Works and Services Department, said they have completed some 30km of the mountainous road. "Only 6km of the road to the 1,900m-tall mountain — which is the highest in the U.A.E. — is left.”
Al Hammadi said the Jebel Jais road will significantly cut the time needed to reach the peak of the mountain to under 45 minutes. This means that people can reach the peak in under one hour from RAK city which is 25km away.
The road will stand 1,800 metres above sea level upon completion and will end very close to the peak, which is covered with snow and hail most of the winter months every year, he added. "Construction works are underway on the remaining 5,850 metres of the road, but we are not sure how long it will take to be completed due to the rocky nature of the place.”
Al Hammadi said the road will be a major tourist and business attraction in the emirate. "Hotels, resorts and tourist residence projects are expected to be built later close to the famous mountain.”
A number of restaurants, rest houses and emergency and public service centres will be established on the road, he stated. "All essential utilities and infrastructure works like power and water supplies, sewage networks, rain drains, lamp posts, and a high concrete wall on both sides have been accommodated in the project.”
In a rare occurrence reported for the first time in January 2009, snow fully covered the peak of Jebel Jais. Although limited snowfall had been recorded on the mountain some years back, it was the first time the peak of the mountain was fully covered in about 20cm-thick snow.
Source:Khaleej Times