New bridges, tunnels and highways: How Dubai is easing traffic and cutting commute times.
Dubai: Dubai is pressing ahead with major investments in road infrastructure, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) delivering a series of projects designed to ease congestion, shorten travel times and improve connectivity across the emirate.
While several projects have already been partially opened to traffic, others are nearing completion and are expected to transform daily commutes for hundreds of thousands of residents.
These are the major road projects reshaping Dubai’s transport network and what they mean for motorists.
1. Dh2 billion road project to ease congestion
The RTA is developing a Dh2 billion road project aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel across Dubai. The 12-kilometre Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor will connect key highways, including Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
Expected to be completed by the end of 2028, the corridor will serve more than 650,000 residents and visitors and accommodate over 130,000 vehicle trips a day, helping improve traffic flow across the emirate.
How will it improve travel?
One of the biggest benefits will be for motorists travelling between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road, with journey times expected to be cut by more than half.
- Current travel time: 33 minutes
- Expected travel time after completion: 15 minutes
- Time saved: 18 minutes (around 54% faster)
The project will also increase the capacity of Dubai’s east-west road network by 12%, helping ease congestion and improve traffic flow on several key routes, including:
- Al Khail Road
- Dubai–Al Ain Road
- Umm Suqeim Street
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road
2. Hessa Street Development Project (Phase 2)
After completing the first phase between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started Phase 2 of the Hessa Street Development Project, marking the next stage in efforts to improve traffic flow and connectivity along one of Dubai’s busiest corridors.
The second phase covers a 3km stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and includes:
- 8.8km of bridges
- A 480-metre tunnel
- Upgrades to three major intersections
- Improved entry and exit points on surrounding roads
Key benefits
Once completed, the project will double the road’s capacity and cut travel time from 24 minutes to just five minutes. It will also create a direct link between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, improving connectivity across the corridor.
The upgrade is expected to benefit around 650,000 residents living in 10 communities, including Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Al Barsha South.
3. Dubai Harbour Direct Access Bridge
The RTA has completed around 90% of the Dubai Harbour Direct Access Bridge project, a major infrastructure upgrade designed to improve access from Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour.
Opened on June 19, the bridge features two lanes in each direction and has the capacity to handle up to 6,000 vehicles per hour.
The bridge provides direct access to Dubai Harbour from Sheikh Zayed Road, improving connectivity for motorists travelling from Jebel Ali and Deira. According to the RTA, it reduces travel time in the area from 12 minutes to just three minutes, easing congestion and enhancing traffic flow.
Key benefit
The project will significantly improve access to Dubai Harbour, reducing travel time from 12 minutes to just three minutes while easing congestion on surrounding roads and enhancing traffic flow for motorists travelling from Sheikh Zayed Road, Jebel Ali and Deira.
4. Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street upgrade
Part of the wider Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project, the Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street upgrade is designed to improve traffic flow, ease congestion and strengthen 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 project will improve connectivity between Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road, increase the capacity of Oud Maitha Road by 50%, and enhance traffic flow at key intersections, helping ease congestion across central Dubai.
5. Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project
The RTA has completed around 70% of the Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project along the 4.6km stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, bringing the major road upgrade closer to completion.
The upgrade is part of the 16km Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor, which extends from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road.
As one of Dubai’s key east-west transport corridors, the project is designed to improve connectivity with major north-south routes, helping ease traffic and enhance mobility across the city.
Key benefit
Once completed, the corridor will serve residential communities and major development areas with a combined population of more than one million residents, improving connectivity and reducing travel times for commuters.
6. Al Qudra Road Development Project
Major sections of the Al Qudra Road Development Project are already operational, with several new bridges opening to traffic earlier this year. Completed works include a 600-metre bridge linking Al Qudra Road with the road connecting Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City.
Additional works under construction include:
- A 700-metre bridge at the intersection of Al Qudra Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street
- A 900-metre bridge carrying traffic towards Dubai city centre and Dubai International Airport
- 3km of new service roads
Key benefits
Once fully completed, the upgraded intersection will significantly boost vehicle capacity, reduce waiting times by 85%, and cut delays from 393 seconds to just 60 seconds, improving traffic flow along one of Dubai’s busiest corridors.
7. Dubai Islands–Bur Dubai Bridge Connection
The Dubai Islands–Bur Dubai Bridge Connection forms part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, one of Dubai’s largest ongoing road infrastructure programmes aimed at transforming traffic flow across the emirate.
A key milestone has already been achieved, with the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project now more than 80% complete, bringing the wider corridor closer to completion.
The wider development includes:
- A new bridge over Dubai Creek linking the Infinity Bridge with the Port Rashid area
- Dedicated cycling and pedestrian tracks
- Improved access to Dubai Islands
Key benefits+
The project will strengthen connectivity between Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai, while significantly improving traffic flow along the Al Shindagha Corridor. By 2030, travel times across the corridor are expected to fall from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes, delivering substantial time savings for motorists.
9. World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project
The World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is one of Dubai’s most significant road infrastructure upgrades, aimed at easing congestion, improving traffic flow and enhancing connectivity at one of the city’s busiest junctions.
The project includes:
- Five bridges spanning a combined 5km
- Replacement of the existing roundabout with a signalised intersection to improve traffic flow and reduce peak-hour congestion
- Integration with the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project
Construction has surpassed 60% completion and is progressing ahead of schedule.
In June 2026, the RTA opened a 1km, two-lane bridge linking Sheikh Zayed Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. The bridge can accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles per hour and cuts travel time from six minutes to just one minute. Two additional bridges are scheduled to open in October 2026.
Once completed, the project will improve traffic flow at one of Dubai’s busiest intersections, reduce congestion, enhance connectivity between key roads, and significantly shorten journey times for motorists travelling through the World Trade Centre area.
Key benefits
- Delay times will be reduced from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds.
- Motorists will enjoy faster access to Al Karama and Deira.
- The project will improve traffic flow and connectivity between key routes across central Dubai, easing congestion and shortening journey times.
