Dubai Traffic Relief: RTA Projects to Half Journey Times Across City

Dubai residents will soon spend less time in traffic as RTA’s new projects aim to cut travel time by 50 percent. The emirate has launched a massive overhaul of its road network to improve residents’ daily commutes. Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum supervises the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) ambitious plan that includes 57 road infrastructure projects scheduled for completion by 2027.

The city’s traffic improvement plan features 226 kilometers of new roads and 115 bridges and tunnels. These upgrades will support Dubai’s growing population, which experts expect to reach 8 million by 2040. The changes will substantially reduce travel times in Dubai’s busiest corridors, with some areas seeing a 75% reduction in commute duration. The upgraded 16-kilometer Umm Suqeim—Al Qudra Corridor will reduce travel time from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes. The Al Mustaqbal Street development project, with its Dh633 million investment, will decrease travel times from 13 minutes to 6 minutes and boost road capacity by 33%. The new project along Al Fay Street costs Dhs1.5 billion and will enhance traffic flow for about 600,000 residents in the surrounding area.

RTA launches citywide road upgrades to cut travel times

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority pushes forward with its bold infrastructure expansion. Three major road corridors will dramatically reduce travel times across the city. These projects are the foundations of an integrated network that handles increasing traffic and supports future urban growth.

Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor reduces commute by 75%

The Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor stretches 16 kilometers from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road and is now 70% complete. This vital east-west corridor will boost capacity from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles per hour. The project features bridges and tunnels spanning 7,000 meters and improved four key junctions. Drivers will see their travel time drop from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes once construction ends.

Work now centers on a 4.6-kilometer section between Al Khail Road and Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This section features an 800-meter tunnel with four lanes each way. Drivers will save significant time as the journey shortens from 9.7 minutes to only 3.8 minutes. Over one million residents in Al Barsha South, Dubai Hills, and Arjan will benefit from these improvements.

Hessa Street expansion doubles vehicle capacity

Hessa Street’s makeover runs 4.5 kilometers from Sheik Zayed Road to Al Khail Road. Workers have completed about 60% of the project. The street will expand from two to four lanes in each direction, which doubles its capacity from 4,000 to 8,000 vehicles per hour.

A new 1,000-meter bridge linking Hessa Street to Al Khail Road opened recently. The bridge cuts travel time from 15 minutes to just 3 minutes. The project upgrades four major intersections with 9,000 meters of bridges. The completion date is set for Q4 2025, and travel time will drop from 30 minutes to 7 minutes. These improvements will serve areas expected to house 640,000 residents by 2030.

Al Fay Road Corridor adds 64,400 vehicle capacity per hour

The AED 1.5 billion Al Fay Road Corridor runs from Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Road through Sheik Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street to Emirates Road. This vital route will add 12,900 meters of new roadway and 13,500 meters of bridges across five upgraded intersections.

The corridor extends Al Khail Road and will serve about 600,000 residents in Dubai Sports City, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Production City, and Jumeirah Golf Estates. Traffic will flow smoothly from Al Khail Road toward Emirates Road. The project also improves connections between Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

RTA completes Al Mustaqbal Street project to ease congestion

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The Roads and Transport Authority has awarded a AED 633 million contract to develop Al Mustaqbal Street, a vital urban corridor in Dubai. This project stretches from Za’abeel Palace Street to Financial Center Street and will reshape the Trade Center Roundabout.

Bridges and tunnels span 6,200 meters

The new Al Mustaqbal Street will feature bridges and tunnels that extend 6,200 meters. Three tunnels measuring 1,200 meters will run through the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Center Street. A three-lane tunnel heading to Deira will handle 4,500 vehicles per hour. Another two-lane tunnel will connect Deira and Jebel Ali with space for 3,000 vehicles hourly. A single-lane tunnel will serve One Central development and accommodate 1,500 vehicles every hour. The project also features a 450-meter two-lane bridge that will carry traffic from Dubai World Trade Center to the Za’abeel Palace Street intersection.

Travel time cut from 13 to 6 minutes

Drivers will spend only 6 minutes on Al Mustaqbal Street instead of the current 13 minutes once work finishes. The street’s capacity will grow by 33%, allowing 8,800 vehicles per hour in both directions compared to the current 6,600. The road will expand from three to four lanes each way along a 3,500-meter stretch between Financial Center Street and Za’abeel Palace Street.

Key areas served: DWTC, DIFC, Business Bay

Al Mustaqbal Street’s location makes it vital for many commercial and residential areas. The Dubai World Trade Center, which has hosted international exhibitions for over 40 years, will benefit directly. The improved street will also provide better access to the Dubai International Financial Center, a major financial hub serving the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Better connections to Za’abeel, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay will emerge. These improvements will help about half a million residents and visitors in these important areas.

Smart technologies accelerate project delivery and monitoring

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The Roads and Transport Authority uses state-of-the-art technologies to speed up infrastructure development in Dubai. These advances have led to faster project delivery times. Quality standards remain high while costs stay low throughout the emirate’s growing transportation network.

AI and drones reduce delays by 20%

RTA now uses drone technology with artificial intelligence to analyze project progress and track construction milestones at multiple sites. This combined approach streamlines operations and speeds up decision-making with instant access to precise data. Smart technologies have doubled the supervisory presence on site and cut field survey time by 60%. Most importantly, early detection of potential issues has reduced project delays by 20%.

Time-lapse imaging improves oversight

Time-lapse imaging systems now monitor construction activities 24/7, especially in high-traffic areas. Strategic placement of sophisticated cameras captures every construction phase and creates a complete visual record from start to finish. This technology has improved project oversight by 40%. Project managers can view and control footage from anywhere using 4K ultra HD cameras with remote monitoring features.

RTA automation enhances construction efficiency

RTA’s automated systems have achieved significant efficiency gains beyond monitoring. The automated road condition assessment system saves 78% in operating costs compared to traditional methods. Laser scanning creates digital copies of roads and checks the life cycle of paving assets. On top of that, RTA has started work on a next-generation traffic signal control system that uses AI, predictive analytics, and digital twin technologies. This system will cover all major intersections by the first half of 2026.

RTA’s corporate agility approach helped deliver mega projects on schedule. The Dubai Metro Project opened as promised on 09/09/2009 despite many challenges.

Cycling and pedestrian infrastructure expands across Dubai

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Dubai is building more than just roads. The city now has better networks for non-motorized transportation that give residents alternatives to driving. These changes support the city’s vision of a greener urban environment.

557km of cycling tracks completed

Dubai’s cycling infrastructure has grown remarkably from 9 km to 557 km—a massive 6,088% increase. Construction teams are building 100 km of dedicated cycling tracks, and plans exist for another 185 km in the coming years. The Roads and Transport Authority plans to extend the network to 1,000 km by 2030. The results show already, as Dubai logged 47 million cycling trips in 2024. New developments will link coastal areas of Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, and Marina to external tracks in Al Qudra, Saih Al Salam, and Nad Al Sheba through Al Barsha and Dubai Hills.

Dubai Walk to add 3,300km of pedestrian paths

Dubai’s new Walk Master Plan will revolutionize the emirate into a year-round pedestrian-friendly city. This major initiative will create 6,500 km of modern walkways across 160 areas. The plan will add 3,300 km of new walkways and upgrade 2,300 km of existing ones by 2040, with 900 km more planned after 2040. The network will also feature 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses to improve connectivity. The project starts with a pilot phase from 2025-2027, followed by three implementation stages until 2040. Dubai wants to increase pedestrian and soft mobility usage from 13% to 25% when complete.

Infinity Bridge in Dubai includes cycling lanes

The Infinity Bridge, completed recently, makes non-motorized transportation a priority. This 295-meter structure has a dedicated 3-meter-wide cycling track next to its 12 vehicle lanes. Residents and tourists can enjoy Dubai Creek’s views during their walks and bike rides. The bridge shows Dubai’s dedication to adding cycling and pedestrian facilities within major road projects.

Dubai leads a massive urban mobility transformation through its detailed infrastructure overhaul. The city prepares for a predicted population of 8 million residents by 2040 with ambitious projects that tackle current traffic issues and future growth needs.

The emirate’s future transportation network will benefit from 57 road infrastructure projects. Major corridors will see dramatic drops in travel time. The Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra project cuts the commute from 46 to 11 minutes. Hessa Street’s expansion doubles the number of vehicles it can handle. Al Fay Road Corridor creates uninterrupted connections between major highways.

RTA uses advanced technology to streamline project efficiency. AI-powered drones have cut delays by 20%. Automated road assessment systems save 78% compared to older methods. These breakthroughs help keep projects on time and within budget.

Dubai takes a balanced approach to urban mobility. The city expands cycling tracks and implements the Dubai Walk Master Plan. Cycling networks have grown from 9km to 557km, with a target of 1,000km by 2030. The pedestrian network will cover 6,500km across 160 areas in the emirate.

Dubai’s transportation will change dramatically in the coming years. People will spend less time in traffic and have more ways to get around. These improvements support Dubai’s goal to become a smart, environmentally responsible city that moves people efficiently despite rapid growth.

RTA’s projects help Dubai remain one of the world’s most available major cities. The mix of wider roads, smart technology, and different transportation options ensures smooth mobility for its growing population in the decades ahead.