New bridges, tunnels and highways: Dubai’s plan to ease congestion and shorten travel times.
Dubai: Dubai continues to expand its road infrastructure through major investments by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), with projects focused on easing congestion, reducing journey times and improving connectivity across the emirate.
Several developments have already been partially opened, while others are approaching completion and are expected to significantly improve daily commutes for hundreds of thousands of residents.
Here are the major Dubai road projects to follow and the impact they are expected to have on motorists in the years ahead.
1. Hessa Street Development Project (Phase 2)
Following the completion of the first phase, which covered the section between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started work on the second phase of the Hessa Street Development Project.
The latest phase extends across a 3km stretch from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and includes:
The project includes:
- 8.8km of bridges
- A 480-metre tunnel
- Upgrades to three major intersections
- Improved entry and exit points on surrounding roads
Once completed, the project is expected to double road capacity and reduce travel times from 24 minutes to just five minutes. It will also create a direct link between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
The development is set to benefit around 650,000 residents across 10 communities, including Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Al Barsha South, by improving access and easing congestion on key routes.
2. Dubai Harbour Direct Access Bridge
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed around 90 per cent of a major bridge project that will create a direct connection between Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Harbour.
The new infrastructure is expected to improve access to the waterfront destination, enhance traffic flow in the area and provide smoother connectivity for residents and visitors travelling between key parts of Dubai.
The 1,500-metre bridge, developed in partnership with Shamal, will open in phases and is designed to improve traffic flow around one of Dubai’s fastest-growing waterfront destinations.
The route starts at Interchange 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road, near the American University in Dubai, crosses key junctions and provides a direct connection to Dubai Harbour Street.
Key benefit: The project will enhance access to Dubai Harbour while reducing congestion on surrounding roads, making travel to and from the waterfront community more efficient for residents and visitors.
3. Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Upgrade
Part of the wider Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project, this initiative focuses on improving traffic movement and strengthening connectivity across central Dubai.
The project includes:
- Development of four major intersections
- A new left-turn slip road from Oud Maitha Road to Sheikh Rashid Road towards Al Garhoud Bridge
- 4.3km of bridges
- 14km of upgraded roads
Key benefits: The upgrade will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion on key routes, enhance connectivity between major areas of Dubai and provide smoother access to Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Garhoud Bridge.
Key benefits:
- Improved connectivity between Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road
- A 50% increase in Oud Maitha Road capacity, helping accommodate higher traffic volumes
- Enhanced traffic movement at major intersections, reducing delays and improving journey efficiency for motorists
4. Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed around 70% of the project along the 4.6km stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
The upgrade is part of the wider 16km Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor, which extends from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road.
As a major east-west route in Dubai, the project aims to improve connectivity with key north-south roads across the city, enhance traffic flow and provide smoother journeys for motorists.
Key benefit: Once completed, the corridor will improve connectivity for residential and development areas serving a combined population of more than one million residents, while supporting smoother traffic movement across Dubai.
5. Al Qudra Road Development Project
Major sections of the Al Qudra Road Development Project are already operational, with several new bridges opened to traffic earlier this year.
Completed works include a 600-metre bridge connecting Al Qudra Road with the road linking Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City.
Additional works currently under construction include:
The project includes:
- A 700-metre bridge at the intersection of Al Qudra Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street
- A 900-metre bridge providing access towards Dubai city centre and Dubai International Airport
- 3km of new service roads
Key benefits: Once fully completed, the upgraded intersection will increase road capacity, reduce waiting times by 85% and cut delays from 393 seconds to around 60 seconds, improving traffic flow for motorists.
6. Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai Bridge Connection
One of Dubai’s major ongoing infrastructure developments is the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which aims to significantly enhance traffic movement across the emirate.
A key milestone was achieved with the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project crossing more than 80% completion.
The wider project includes:
- A new bridge over Dubai Creek between the Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid area
- Dedicated cycling and pedestrian tracks
- Improved access to Dubai Islands
Key benefits: The project will strengthen connectivity between Dubai’s historic districts and newer developments, ease congestion along key routes and provide smoother travel across the creek.
- Improved connectivity between Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai
- Reduced travel times along the Al Shindagha Corridor from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030
- Enhanced traffic flow across key routes connecting Dubai’s northern and southern areas
7. World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project
The World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is among Dubai’s key traffic improvement initiatives currently under construction, aimed at enhancing mobility and easing congestion in one of the city’s busiest areas.
The project includes:
- Five bridges spanning 5km
- Replacement of the existing roundabout with a traffic light-controlled intersection to improve traffic movement and reduce peak-hour congestion
- Integration with the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project
Construction has exceeded 60% completion and is progressing ahead of schedule.
Key benefits: The project will improve connectivity around the World Trade Centre area, increase road capacity and provide smoother journeys for motorists travelling through central Dubai.
In June 2026, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opened a new 1km bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street.
The two-lane bridge can accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles per hour and has reduced journey times along the route from six minutes to just one minute. Two additional bridges are scheduled to open in October 2026.
Key benefits:
- Reduced delays from 12 minutes to around 90 seconds
- Faster access to Al Karama and Deira
- Improved traffic flow between major routes across central Dubai
