Dubai’s Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets upgrade to cut travel times by up to 75%.
Four major intersections in Dubai are being upgraded with new bridges, tunnels, additional lanes and service roads as part of efforts to improve traffic flow on some of the city’s busiest corridors.
The improvements are part of the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which covers key routes connecting Oud Metha Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Asayel Street, Al Wasl Club Street, Al Khail Road and Dubai-Al Ain Road.
The project is expected to reduce journey times from 20 minutes to just five minutes, improving connectivity across key areas including Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha and Umm Hurair.
A new three-lane bridge has already opened as part of the development, with two tunnels and an additional bridge scheduled for completion by the end of August.
What is changing at each intersection?
1. Oud Metha Street and Sheikh Rashid Road
The upgrades at this junction aim to improve traffic flow towards Al Garhoud Bridge, Dubai-Al Ain Road and Bur Dubai.
Key improvements include:
- An additional lane will be added to the left-turn ramp from Oud Metha Street onto Sheikh Rashid Road towards Al Garhoud Bridge.
- The ramp capacity will increase to 1,800 vehicles per hour.
- The service road on Sheikh Rashid Road between the existing bridge and the Al Zahrawi Street exit will be upgraded to reduce traffic conflicts and improve safety.
- Right-turn lanes from Sheikh Rashid Road onto Oud Metha Street towards Dubai-Al Ain Road will expand from two lanes to three.
- Capacity for this movement will rise to 4,000 vehicles per hour.
- A tunnel will link the Oud Metha Street service road with the Sheikh Rashid Road intersection, allowing smoother access towards Bur Dubai.
2. Oud Metha Street, Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street
This junction will feature three new bridges to improve connections between Al Asayel Street, Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road.
The upgrades include:
- A two-lane bridge connecting traffic from Al Asayel Street towards Al Wasl Club Street.
- A three-lane bridge allowing motorists to travel from Al Khail Road towards Al Asayel Street.
- A separate two-lane left-turn bridge from Al Asayel Street towards Oud Metha Street.
- The left-turn bridge will handle up to 2,400 vehicles per hour.
- Access roads leading to Al Wasl Club will be improved.
- Entry and exit points at the club will be upgraded to reduce traffic conflicts.
3. Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road
The improvements at this intersection are designed to enhance traffic movement towards Al Khail Road and Business Bay Crossing.
Key changes include:
- A two-lane bridge connecting Al Asayel Street traffic towards Al Khail Road in the direction of Business Bay Crossing.
- The bridge will accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles per hour.
- The exit from Al Wasl Club Street towards Al Khail Road will be expanded to two lanes.
- New service roads will be built along Al Wasl Club Street in both directions.
- Additional parking spaces will be introduced.
4. Zabeel Palace Street, Al Khail Road and Oud Metha Street
The fourth upgrade will improve connections between Al Khail Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Oud Metha Street and Al Wasl Club Street.
The planned changes include:
- Adding an extra lane to the left-turn ramp from Al Khail Road towards Dubai-Al Ain Road.
- Increasing the ramp capacity from 900 to 1,800 vehicles per hour.
- Constructing a one-lane tunnel for traffic travelling from Dubai-Al Ain Road towards Al Wasl Club Street.
- The tunnel will handle up to 1,200 vehicles per hour and help reduce traffic conflicts.
- Expanding the existing bridge from Al Khail Road towards Oud Metha Street from two lanes to three.
- Increasing bridge capacity from 2,200 to 3,300 vehicles per hour.
The project is part of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project and is designed to support Dubai’s continued urban growth, improve connectivity and accommodate rising traffic demand.
