Dubai is set to experience a transformation in urban mobility with a Dh16 billion road development plan, initiated to enhance the city’s road network and cater to its growing population. Spearheaded by Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the project is expected to add 22 key infrastructure projects to the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) expansive plans. During a recent visit to the RTA headquarters, Sheikh Hamdan directed officials to implement the Main Roads Development Plan 2024-27, aiming to improve connectivity for approximately 6 million residents.
The plan covers several high-impact projects across Dubai, each designed to increase road capacity, improve travel times, and reduce congestion, while also promoting sustainable urban growth. Key components include road extensions, bridge constructions, and tunnel developments to boost connectivity across multiple regions of the city.
Al Fay Street Development Project
The Al Fay Street project, one of the largest in the plan, will extend from Al Khail Road, intersecting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and will run through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, up to Emirates Road. This project includes 12,900 meters of new roads and 13,500 meters of bridges, with the addition of five intersections. Expected to handle an extra 64,400 vehicles per hour, the project aims to serve around 600,000 residents in the region, significantly easing traffic flow along this strategic corridor.
Al Safa Street Expansion
Another major component is the Al Safa Street development, which will stretch from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road. The project involves constructing 2,100 meters of tunnels, including a two-lane tunnel that will provide direct access from Al Safa Street to the City Walk district. Additionally, 650 meters of bridges will be added, increasing connectivity and reducing congestion in this commercial and residential hub.
Latifa bint Hamdan Street Upgrade
Set to begin next year, the Latifa bint Hamdan Street project will span 12,200 meters, linking Al Khail Road to Emirates Road. This project will include 8,100 meters of bridges, enhancing capacity for about 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and serving over a million residents. Officials project that this development will reduce travel time by 15–20%, ensuring a more seamless commuting experience for residents in the area.
Meydan Road Improvements
The Meydan Road project is another major upgrade, designed to handle additional traffic and cut down travel times. Encompassing 10,600 meters of road, 3,300 meters of bridges, and three tunnels totaling 1,500 meters, this development will benefit around 1 million residents. It will also increase capacity by 22,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, reducing travel time between Umm Suqeim Street and the extension of Meydan Street to just four minutes.
Trade Centre Roundabout Transformation
The Trade Centre Roundabout, a historically congested junction, will undergo a complete transformation to streamline traffic flow. The project includes constructing five bridges with a combined length of 5,000 meters, converting the roundabout into a surface-level intersection controlled by traffic signals. The upgrade is anticipated to reduce waiting times from 12 minutes to a swift 90 seconds, providing relief to one of the city’s busiest intersections.
Umm Suqeim and Al Qudra Street Developments
Lastly, the development plan includes an upgrade to the 16,000-meter stretch along Umm Suqeim and Al Qudra Streets, extending from the Jumeirah Street intersection to Emirates Road. The project will introduce four intersections, alongside 2,500 meters of bridges and 2,000 meters of tunnels. These enhancements are expected to increase road capacity from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles per hour and reduce travel times from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes, benefitting over 800,000 residents.
Through this comprehensive plan, Dubai’s RTA is poised to reshape the city’s transportation landscape, addressing the needs of a rapidly expanding population and supporting the emirate’s vision of becoming a global urban mobility leader. This series of upgrades highlights Dubai’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the well-being of its residents, with each project aimed at enhancing the overall quality of urban life.
