New bridge in Dubai opens - linking Jumeirah Street to Al Mina Street
The RTA has opened a 985-metre bridge that can reduce travel time from 12 to four minutes for motorists travelling from Jumeirah Street towards Infinity Bridge through Al Mina Street. The two lanes can handle 3,200 vehicles an hour, in the latest phase of a Dh5.3 billion ($1.44 billion) road expansion project that aims to improve traffic flow. 'The new bridge will ease congestion and reduce travel time by 67 per cent through providing uninterrupted traffic flow across the new bridge without need to stop at traffic signals,' Dubai's transport authority said in a statement on Saturday. The bridge is part of phase 4 of Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which encompasses a 4.8km area from the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street to the Falcon Intersection on Al Mina Street. 'Phase 4 also includes five additional bridges totalling 3.1km. The scope covers 4.8 kilometres of road enhancements, along with upgrades to key surface intersections on Jumeirah Street, Al Mina Street, and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street. Two pedestrian bridges are also planned, one on Sheikh Rashid Road and another on Al Mina Street,' the authority said. 'The phase contributes to providing a free-flowing traffic along the corridor. The total capacity of all lanes is around 19,400 vehicles per hour.' During the second quarter of this year, the authority said another three-lane bridge, spanning 78 metres, will connect Infinity Bridge to Al Wasl Street via Al Mina Street. 'One operational the bridge will support up to 4,800 vehicles an hour,' the authority added. The vast infrastructure project started in 2016 and authorities expect it to reduce travel times from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030. The authority is leading a comprehensive road-building strategy to help ensure Dubai's infrastructure can keep pace with continued population growth. Dubai's population passed 3.5 million in 2022 and now stands at more than 3.9 million. Dubai Government is set to invest heavily in infrastructure in the years ahead as it sets its sights on growing its population to 5.8 million by 2040. In October, Dubai unveiled its largest government budget for 2025-2027, with spending of Dh272 billion. In 2025, expenditure is set at Dh86.26 billion, with 46 per cent to be spent on infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transport systems and renewable energy centres, as well as the Al Maktoum Airport development. In March, a 1.2km bridge that can handle 4,800 vehicles an hour was opened to to improve traffic flow from Infinity Bridge, over Dubai Creek, from Al Mina Street to Sheikh Rashid Road, which begins in Bur Dubai, and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street junction. In January, a 300-metre bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to the Mall of the Emirates was opened to ease traffic levels in one of the busiest districts of the emirate. The bridge provides direct access to the mall and aims to cut travel times in half, the RTA said at the time.
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Arabian Business
5 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai unveils major Al Wasl Road upgrade: 15km development to cut travel times in half and boost capacity
The RTA is set to transform travel on Dubai's Al Wasl Road with new tunnels, wider roads and faster journey times. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an integrated project to upgrade Al Wasl Road. The initiative also aims to address urban expansion, accommodate population growth, and enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors. Al Wasl Road Dubai traffic plan The development spans 15 km, from the intersection with Umm Suqeim Street to the junction with 2nd December Street in Dubai. It includes the upgrade of six intersections, comprising enhancements to one junction and the construction of five tunnels totalling 3.85km. The street will be widened from two to three lanes in each direction. The project is expected to reduce travel times along Al Wasl Road by 50 per cent and increase capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: 'Al Wasl Road Development Project forms part of a master plan developed by the RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, which also includes enhancements to Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets. 'These projects are designed with a focus on creative and aesthetic elements, incorporating dedicated pedestrian walkways, cycling tracks, boulevards, and vibrant urban public spaces that promote community interaction. 'The plan also features decorative landscaping and the creation of dynamic urban environments. The project serves a vital district that offers a broad array of modern tourism and lifestyle destinations, including beaches, luxury hotels, fine dining venues, and residential neighbourhoods, home to over one million residents'. The project involves the development of Al Wasl Road from its intersection with Umm Suqeim Street to its junction with 2nd December Street, spanning a total length of 15 km. The street will be widened from two to three lanes in each direction. It also includes the upgrade of six intersections along Dubai's Al Wasl Road, specifically at: Al Thanya Al Manara Umm Al Sheif Umm Amara Al Orouba Al Safa Streets This will be achieved through the construction of five tunnels with a total length of 3.85km. Al Tayer said: 'The intersection with Al Thanya Street will undergo improvements, while a unidirectional tunnel will be constructed at the intersection with Al Manara Street. This tunnel will consist of three lanes and branch into two separate routes: two lanes from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street, and two lanes from Sheikh Zayed Road to Umm Suqeim Street, with a total capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour. 'The project also includes a tunnel on Umm Al Sheif Street, comprising two lanes in the direction from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street. This tunnel will be 750m long and will accommodate up to 3,200 vehicles per hour. 'In addition, a tunnel will be constructed at the intersection of Al Wasl Road with Umm Amara Street, featuring two lanes in each direction, with a total length of 700m and a combined capacity of 6,400 vehicles per hour'. The project includes the construction of a unidirectional tunnel at the intersection of Al Wasl Road with Al Orouba Street, heading towards Jumeirah Street. The tunnel will be 625m long, with two lanes and a capacity of 1,400 vehicles per hour. It also entails the construction of a tunnel at the intersection of Al Wasl Road with Al Safa Street, measuring 750 metres in length and featuring two lanes in each direction, with an estimated total capacity of 6,400 vehicles per hour. Al Tayer added: 'The project will also convert the Al Satwa roundabout into a signalised junction and implement surface-level enhancements at five intersections along Jumeirah Street, including upgrades to the traffic signal control system.' upgrade of Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to its junction with Al Khail Road. Once complete, this upgrade will increase the street's capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. It will also improve traffic flow and reduce travel time along the stretch between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road, from 20 minutes to just 6 minutes. The corridor serves a wide range of residential and development zones, with an estimated population exceeding two million residents. The project also encompasses the development of six intersections along Umm Suqeim Street at: Jumeirah Street Al Wasl Road Sheikh Zayed Road First Al Khail Road Al Asayel Street Al Khail Road It includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, totalling 4.1km in length. A tunnel will be built at the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Jumeirah Street, comprising two lanes in each direction, along with a signalised surface-level junction. Another tunnel will be constructed at the intersection with Al Wasl Road, featuring two lanes in the direction from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street, while maintaining seamless surface-level flow towards Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The project also includes the construction of two bridges at the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Sheikh Zayed Road, designed to eliminate traffic weaving and overlap at the existing junction. As part of our master plan to upgrade #Dubai 's road network, #RTA has announced an integrated project to upgrade Al Wasl Street, covering Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets. The development spans from the intersection with Umm Suqeim Street to the junction with 2nd December Street.… — RTA (@rta_dubai) June 3, 2025 Additionally, a tunnel will be built at the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with First Al Khail Road to facilitate traffic flow from Al Barsha towards Sheikh Zayed Road, accompanied by surface-level enhancements at the intersection. The project further involves the addition of a new lane on Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with First Al Khail Road to Al Asayel Street, increasing the total to four lanes in each direction. Moreover, two elevated ramps will be constructed at the intersection with Al Khail Road: The first will connect Al Khail Road to the Al Quoz Industrial Area The second will facilitate traffic movement from Umm Suqeim Street to Al Khail Road in the direction of Deira The RTA is currently undertaking the development of Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Al Khail Road to its junction with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, extending further to the intersection with Emirates Road. The scope of work includes the upgrade of the intersection with Al Barsha South through the construction of an 800-metre tunnel featuring four lanes in each direction, alongside a signalised surface-level intersection. The project also involves the upgrade of major intersections along Al Qudra Road—starting from its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, passing through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and continuing to Emirates Road. This phase includes the development of several intersections, the construction of bridges totalling 2,700 metres in length, and the upgrade and widening of the existing street along an 11.6 km stretch.
The National
12 hours ago
- The National
Eid Al Adha parking rules and Metro timings announced
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Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: 5 tunnels, 3 lanes in new Al Wasl project to cut travel time by half
A new project to expand Al Wasl road by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will cut travel time for commuters by half. The RTA has announced an integrated project to develop Al Wasl Road, extending 15 km, as part of a comprehensive plan that includes the development of Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets. The project will upgrade six intersections through the construction of five tunnels totaling over 3,850 meters in length and widening the road to three lanes in each direction. The development of Al Wasl Street will extend from intersection with Umm Suqeim Street to its intersection with 2nd of December Street. The expansion of Al Wasl Road will increase the capacity to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. The project will add a creative and aesthetic element to the area through pedestrian walkways, a bicycle path, boulevards, and urban spaces. The project serves a vital area with numerous modern tourist facilities, including beaches, hotels, luxury restaurants, and residential areas, home to more than one million people. The project contributes to facilitating the movement of residents and visitors, enhancing the quality of life, and raising the level of traffic safety. @rta_dubai — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 3, 2025 The project will cut down travel time by half, according to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority said. Tayer added, "The Al Wasl Road development project is part of an integrated plan to develop the road network in the area, including Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets, while adding creative and aesthetic elements through the development of pedestrian and bicycle paths, squares, and urban spaces, while enhancing the biosphere and landscaping. The project serves an area boasting modern tourist facilities such as beaches, hotels, restaurants, and residential areas, with an estimated population of more than one million."
