logo
RTA Awards AED 633 Million Contract for Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project

RTA Awards AED 633 Million Contract for Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project

Emirates 24/714-07-2025
In line with the directives of the leadership to enhance the road infrastructure and public transport systems in support of urban development, population growth, and improved quality of life, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded the contract for the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project. The project extends from the intersection with Za'abeel Palace Street to Financial Centre Street, at a total cost of AED 633 million.
The scope includes the construction of bridges and tunnels extending 1,700 metres, and the widening of the street from three to four lanes in each direction. The development will increase the corridor's capacity by 33%, from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce travel time from 13 minutes to 6 minutes.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) stated: 'Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project forms part of a broader project that includes the development of the Trade Centre Roundabout, with construction works having commenced in the last quarter of last year. The project will serve several key commercial, residential, and development zones, most notably the Dubai World Trade Centre, which has been the region's premier venue for international events and exhibitions for over four decades. It hosts major global exhibitions and conferences such as GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health, Gulfood, and the Transport Exhibition, among others.'
'The project will also serve Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It will further enhance connectivity to key areas, including Za'abeel, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay. The project is expected to benefit approximately half a million residents and visitors,' Al Tayer said.
Three Tunnels and Bridge
Al Tayer added: 'The project includes the construction of three tunnels totalling 1,200 metres at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street. The first is a three-lane tunnel along Al Mustaqbal Street heading towards Deira, with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour. The second is a two-lane tunnel turning left from Al Mustaqbal Street onto Trade Centre Street, serving bidirectional traffic between Deira and Jebel Ali, with a combined capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour. The third is a single-lane tunnel dedicated to the One Central development, with a capacity of 1,500 vehicles per hour."
'The project entails the construction of a 450-metre, two-lane bridge serving traffic flowing from Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) towards the intersection of Za'abeel Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street. Additionally, it involves the widening of Al Mustaqbal Street over a 3,500-metre stretch from its intersection with Financial Centre Street to Za'abeel Palace Street by expanding the street from three to four lanes in each direction.'
'The project also includes the construction of free-flowing ramps to improve traffic movement at the intersections of Al Mustaqbal Street with both Exhibition Street and Trade Centre Street. It further encompasses the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Al Sukook Street and the upgrade of existing intersections along the corridor.'
The project also introduces creative and aesthetic enhancements to the area, including upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and decorative lighting, aimed at ensuring safer and more accessible streets for all users. It further involves the creation of urban spaces to encourage community engagement and support vibrant, inclusive urban living. Additionally, the project will strengthen connectivity between major development zones and nearby metro stations, enabling seamless and integrated access for both residents and visitors.
Al Tayer elaborated: 'Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project forms part of a master plan that includes the Development of the Trade Centre Roundabout, one of Dubai's critical intersections linking Sheikh Zayed Road with five major arterial roads: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, 2nd December Street, Za'abeel Palace Street, and Al Mustaqbal Street.'
The project involves the construction of five bridges with a total length of 5,000 metres, and the conversion of the existing roundabout into a surface-level intersection to improve traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards 2nd December Street, and from Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road (southbound). It also enables uninterrupted movement from 2nd December Street (Jumeirah and Al Satwa) to Al Majlis Street, providing direct access to Al Mustaqbal Street, which serves both Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre, along with Sheikh Rashid Road towards Deira. In addition, a second-level bridge will ensure free-flowing traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street,' he added.
The construction of the Trade Centre Roundabout and Al Mustaqbal Street Development Projects is progressing in parallel with another major road infrastructure project in the area. In the last quarter of 2024, the RTA commenced Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which includes the upgrade of four key intersections through the construction of bridges extending 4,300 metres, in addition to 14 kilometres of roadway. The project serves critical residential, service, and development zones, where the population is expected to exceed 420,000 by 2030. It is set to reduce travel time by 50%, from 20 minutes to just 10 minutes.
This project also coincides with the completion of several phases of Al Khail Road Development Project, which included the construction of bridges totalling 3,300 metres and the widening of lanes across 6,820 metres, covering seven key locations along Al Khail Road. The project has resulted in a 30% reduction in travel time and increased the capacity of existing intersections and bridges by approximately 19,600 vehicles per hour.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai and Abu Dhabi office markets boom as record sales and new developments reshape skylines in 2025
Dubai and Abu Dhabi office markets boom as record sales and new developments reshape skylines in 2025

Arabian Business

time12 minutes ago

  • Arabian Business

Dubai and Abu Dhabi office markets boom as record sales and new developments reshape skylines in 2025

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are experiencing a surge in office market activity, with record sales, soaring rents and a wave of new developments set to transform both cities' commercial skylines, according to Knight Frank's H1 2025 Office Market Review. In Dubai, 83 office transactions worth more than AED10m ($2.72m) were completed in the first half of 2025 — a 207 per cent jump from the 27 deals recorded in the same period last year. Downtown led the market, with average prices surpassing AED 5,000 ($1,361) per square foot, while Business Bay crossed the AED 2,000 ($544) per square foott mark for the first time, after 21.2 per cent growth since 2020. Dubai office demand Off-plan office sales, concentrated mainly in Business Bay, are on the rise. The submarket is set to deliver more than 1.3 million sqft through this model, reflecting investor confidence in Dubai's prime financial hubs. DIFC remains the costliest office location in the city, averaging AED 400 ($109) per square foot for fitted offices, while robust rental growth is also being seen in The Greens (AED260/$71psf), Dubai Design District (AED 280/$76psf) and Business Bay (AED251/$68psf). Demand is being driven by the business services sector (38 per cent of total), followed by tech (31 per cent), real estate (12 per cent) and banking and finance (10 per cent). Faisal Durrani, Partner – Head of Research, Knight Frank MENA, said: 'Confidence in Dubai as a global business hub remains exceptionally strong. Indeed, this is reflected in record low vacancy rates for Grade A stock across the city, which stands in sharp contrast to many other global gateway cities. 'The technology and trading systems sector has emerged as major driver of demand, while sustained activity from financial, real estate and business consulting firms underscores the city's appeal to a diverse range of global occupiers. 'Developers are moving quickly to capitalise on current demand, with a further 25.2 million square feet expected by 2030, when we forecast the total office stock in the city to approach 148 million square feet. 'The confidence in the office sector is further evidenced by the boom in high-value transactions, with the number of office sales over AED 10 million setting a record of 83 sales in H1 2025.' The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded its busiest ever first half for new company registrations since opening in 2004, with 1,081 new businesses joining between January and June, bringing the total to 7,700. Knight Frank forecasts Dubai's total gross leasable area will reach 137.8 million sqft by 2030, with 15.8 million sqft in new supply. DIFC will add more than 7 million sqft of build-to-rent office space by 2030, while Business Bay will see strong build-to-sell activity, much of it sold off-plan before completion. Abu Dhabi office demand In the UAE capital, office demand reached over 5 million sqft in H1 2025, up 110 per cent year-on-year. Business services accounted for 32 per cent of demand, followed by government entities (9 per cent). Durrani said: 'New rental contracts in Abu Dhabi have been a primary driver of market activity this year, with transaction volumes experiencing a significant peak in January, signalling fresh demand and business expansion in the UAE capital. 'Mirroring Dubai, with occupancy levels at record highs across grade-A stock, limited availability is driving up rents for best-in-class space'. Musaffah led rental growth in Q2 2025 with a 73 per cent quarter-on-quarter rise, followed by Al Bateen (68 per cent) and Al Hisn (19 per cent). Some older districts such as Al Danah (-2 per cent) and Al Nahyan (-7 per cent) saw slight declines due to higher concentrations of secondary stock. James Hodgetts, Partner – Occupier Strategy & Solutions, MEA, said: 'There is good news on the horizon, with a strong pipeline of high-quality developments poised to be welcome additions to the Abu Dhabi office market. 'This new supply is likely to help ease current constraints, offering occupiers greater choice and setting new benchmarks for quality, sustainability and design.' New completions are set to ease supply pressure, including Aldar's HB Tower on Yas Island (238,647 sqft) and the Saas Business Tower on Al Reem Island (129,210 sqft). Shehzad Jamal, Partner – Strategy and Consultancy, MENA, said: 'Demand is expected to remain robust and will likely continue to outpace the delivery of new premium supply for the remainder of the year, fuelling further rental growth in the prime segment across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 'Pre-leasing activity for the landmark projects scheduled for 2026-2028 will be a key indicator of market sentiment. We expect the performance gap between grade-A, well-located assets and older, secondary stock to widen further as the flight-to-quality trend intensifies in the short-term.'

Riyadh hospital capacity lags global average: Report
Riyadh hospital capacity lags global average: Report

Arabian Business

time33 minutes ago

  • Arabian Business

Riyadh hospital capacity lags global average: Report

Saudi Arabia's capital is running below international norms on hospital bed capacity and will need targeted additions in the west, east and south of the city by the end of the decade, according to a new report by Knight Frank. Riyadh's bed density stands at 1.7 per 1,000 people, below both the Saudi average of 1.9 and a global average of 2.9, the consultancy said, citing Ministry of Health (2023) data. The Ministry of Health operates 53 per cent of inpatient facilities across Riyadh Province and accounts for 60 per cent of total inpatient bed capacity. Outpatient care is largely driven by the private sector, which accounts for about 70 per cent of the outpatient market in the province, the report said. Knight Frank's analysis indicates no immediate inpatient bed requirement in Riyadh's northern and central zones. By 2030, the western zone is projected to require 1,500 to 2,000 additional beds, while the eastern and southern zones each are projected to need 1,000 to 1,500 beds. On a longer view, the overall gap equates to about 15,300 beds by 2040 based on the global average of 2.9 beds per 1,000, or about 2,800 based on the Saudi average of 1.9, the report said. Demographics and economic growth are pushing demand higher. Riyadh Province is home to 27 per cent of the Kingdom's population, and its residents are projected to rise from about 9 million in 2023 to 12.5 million by 2040 if a 2 per cent compound annual growth rate is maintained, according to the report. Riyadh City, which accounts for just over 80 per cent of the province's population, is projected to reach about 10.7 million by 2040, Knight Frank said, citing Oxford Economics. The city contributes about 50 per cent of Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP, according to Invest Saudi, and more than 500 companies had established regional headquarters in Riyadh by the first half of 2024. The report lists a substantial urban pipeline by 2030: approximately 300,000 new homes, 4.6 million square metres of office space, 2.6 million square metres of retail, and about 28,800 hotel keys. For the 2034 FIFA World Cup, eight of 11 new stadiums will be within Riyadh, and logistics expansion includes a 3 million square metre Integrated Logistics Zone offering 50 per cent tax exemption, 100 per cent foreign ownership and no limits on capital repatriation. Insurance coverage is supporting private-sector utilisation. About 51.8 per cent of Riyadh residents aged 15 and above are covered by private health insurance for basic care — the second-highest share in the Kingdom after the Eastern Province at 55.9 per cent — under the Cooperative Health Insurance System, the report said. Between 2015 and 2023, private-sector outpatient and inpatient volumes in the province rose 1.4 times and 1.9 times, respectively. Average visits per person were 2.7 in the private sector versus 1.1 in the public sector. Digital infrastructure is expanding. The Seha Virtual Hospital — described by the report as the world's largest — links more than 150 facilities, offers 29 specialties, and serves over 480,000 patients annually. The HMG group, in collaboration with GE Healthcare, has developed a tele-ICU command centre in Riyadh. On the supply chain side, the NUPCO unified e-commerce procurement platform manages about SAR 49 billion in contracts across 65,000 items. According to the Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia's digital health market was valued at SAR 698 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at 25 per cent CAGR to 2030, the report said. The report outlines zonal population trends that underpin service needs. In the western zone, including districts such as Al Suwaidi and Namar, population growth to 2030 and new residential projects are associated with additional demand for beds. In the eastern zone, covering districts such as Ar Rawdah and Al Hamra, growth tied to commercial projects such as Riyadh Industrial Park and Forsan supports the projected requirement for additional inpatient capacity by 2030. The southern zone is projected to see a modest population increase by 2030 and, given current and planned infrastructure, a bed gap is expected to persist. The central zone shows no additional inpatient bed requirement through 2030, according to the report. The report also lists government initiatives to expand private-sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Riyadh. Planned PPP projects include long-term care services, home care, dialysis, a 200-bed maternity and children's hospital, upgrades to primary care centres, and rehabilitation centres via a 150-bed facility. A summary chart in the report shows incremental demand for beds across the city by zone, excluding long-term care beds. The northern zone is described as having a strong presence of leading providers addressing current and near-term inpatient demand, with potential for expansion of outpatient services to meet population growth in new communities.

UAE and Finland sign MoU to deepen ties in meteorology and polar research
UAE and Finland sign MoU to deepen ties in meteorology and polar research

Arabian Business

time33 minutes ago

  • Arabian Business

UAE and Finland sign MoU to deepen ties in meteorology and polar research

To enhance and strengthen international collaboration, Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) and President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and Professor Petteri Taalas, Director-General of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance cooperation in meteorology and polar research. The agreement was formalised during an official visit by an NCM delegation to Helsinki, Finland. The visit marked an important milestone in the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in areas of scientific research and technological development. Today, I had the honor of signing an MoU between @ncmuae and @meteorologit represented by Professor Petteri Taalas, Director General of FMI, during an official visit to the Finnish capital, Helsinki. — Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous (@DrAAlMandous) August 12, 2025 UAE, Finland unite for meteorology The newly signed MoU is designed to strengthen institutional collaboration, with a clear focus on the exchange of expertise and best practices in meteorological operations and polar studies. Polar research, a key priority for the UAE, is central to this cooperation. The initiative also aligns with the UAE's Emirates Polar Programme, which envisions the establishment of research laboratories in both the Arctic and Antarctica, reflecting the country's commitment to contributing meaningfully to global scientific advancement. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Al Mandous emphasised the importance of international partnerships in addressing global climate challenges. 'The signing of this MoU with the Finnish Meteorological Institute marks a significant step in strengthening the UAE's scientific and research capabilities in meteorology and polar studies,' said Dr. Al Mandous. 'We remain committed to collaborating with international partners and exchanging knowledge and expertise, guided by the principles of equality and mutual benefit. This collaboration will contribute to a deeper understanding of climate change and support the development of innovative solutions to global environmental challenges. Such efforts will open new avenues for researchers and scientists from both countries and reinforce the UAE's growing role as a key player in global polar research.' The MoU outlines several areas of joint activity, including the integration of FMI's advanced space weather services. This element of the collaboration is expected to enhance capabilities in space weather research while also enabling the use of AI for data analysis and operational forecasting. Broader scientific applications of this cooperation are anticipated to benefit sectors such as agriculture, aviation, maritime navigation, and disaster risk management. During his visit to Finland, Dr. Al Mandous participated in a series of technical meetings and discussions with Finnish experts. These sessions focused on plans to establish UAE research laboratories in polar regions, the development of joint research infrastructure, and mechanisms for the exchange of scientists between the two countries. Further discussions explored support for field research in extreme environments and the launch of collaborative projects aimed at deepening understanding of climate change and its effects on ecosystems and communities. As part of his broader role within the World Meteorological Organisation, Dr. Al Mandous also addressed ongoing reform initiatives within the WMO. He underscored the importance of updating international operational frameworks to better meet the evolving demands of the global meteorological community. He also called for stronger and more sustainable financial support for relevant UN agencies, stressing the need to overcome financial constraints that could hinder critical scientific programs. He concluded that effective international cooperation remains key to ensuring the resilience and progress of meteorological services worldwide. Prof. Taalas welcomed the agreement, expressing strong appreciation for the UAE's commitment to scientific advancement in climate and weather-related fields. 'At FMI, we greatly value our partnership with the UAE, which has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting scientific research in climate and weather-related fields,' said Prof. Taalas. 'This MoU provides a practical framework for exchanging expertise and launching joint research projects, including polar studies and space weather services, which will enhance global forecasting capabilities and deepen our understanding of climate change. We look forward to a productive and impactful collaboration that benefits the international scientific community as a whole.' This collaboration reflects the strength of bilateral relations between the UAE and Finland and underscores both nations' shared commitment to using science as a tool for sustainable development.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store