The 500-metre bridge opens Friday, cutting travel time for DWTC traffic.
Dubai: Drivers leaving Dubai World Trade Centre during major events will have a faster journey from Friday, with a new 500-metre bridge reducing travel time from 10 minutes to just two.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said the two-lane bridge will carry traffic from Dubai World Trade Centre and One Central towards the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Za’abeel Palace Street.
The bridge is part of the Dh633 million Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which is being constructed between Za’abeel Palace Street and Financial Centre Street.
Journey times to drop
The wider project is expected to reduce travel times along Al Mustaqbal Street from 13 minutes to six minutes once completed.
Road capacity in both directions will rise by 33%, increasing from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour. As part of the project, Al Mustaqbal Street will also be widened from three to four lanes in each direction along a 3.5-kilometre stretch.
The development is expected to benefit around 500,000 residents and visitors, improving access to some of Dubai’s busiest business, residential and events districts, including Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Za’abeel, Downtown Dubai and Business Bay.
“The Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is strategically significant due to its location in the heart of a key district that includes Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre, while also connecting Downtown Dubai with Business Bay,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.
More openings to follow
Work on the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is more than 50% complete and progressing ahead of schedule, according to RTA.
Another bridge is expected to open by the end of August, serving traffic travelling from Sheikh Rashid Road towards 2nd December Street. The final bridge under the related World Trade Centre Roundabout works is scheduled to open in October, carrying traffic from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street.
Three tunnels spanning a combined 1,500 metres are scheduled to open in February 2027 at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street.
The three-lane tunnel on Al Mustaqbal Street will carry traffic towards Deira, with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour. A second, two-lane tunnel will provide left-turn access towards Trade Centre Street and handle up to 3,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. The third, one-lane tunnel serving One Central will have a capacity of 1,500 vehicles per hour.
Easier access around major events district
The project also includes free-flow connections along Exhibition Street and Trade Centre Street, a pedestrian bridge on Al Sukook Street, upgraded intersections, new pedestrian routes, a cycling track and improved connections between nearby developments and metro stations.
Al Tayer said the project is part of an integrated plan that also includes upgrades to the World Trade Centre Roundabout, where work is progressing rapidly and is now more than 85% complete.
The World Trade Centre Roundabout project will eventually feature five bridges spanning a total of 5,000 metres, while the existing roundabout will be transformed into an at-grade intersection.
Meanwhile, RTA is progressing with the Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which is scheduled to fully open by the end of August. The project includes four major intersections, 4,300 metres of bridges and 14 kilometres of roads, and is expected to halve journey times from 20 minutes to 10 minutes.
