Dubai: Dubai is pressing ahead with a massive overhaul of its road network as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion and improve daily commutes for residents.
Under the supervision of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out 57 road infrastructure projects to be completed by 2027.
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The developments include 226 kilometers of new roads and 115 bridges and tunnels, aimed at preparing the city to support a growing population expected to reach 8 million by 2040.
These upgrades target Dubai’s busiest traffic corridors, with some projects slashing commute times by more than 75%.
Sheikh Hamdan recently reviewed the progress of strategic road infrastructure projects focused on improving traffic flow and preparing the city for a projected population of 8 million by 2040. These developments are part of an integrated Master Plan to upgrade 11 primary road corridors, designed to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion across key areas in the emirate.
Key road corridor upgrades
Umm Suqeim—Al Qudra Corridor
One of the flagship projects, the upgrade of the 16-kilometre Umm Suqeim—Al Qudra Corridor, includes 7,000 metres of bridges and tunnels and is expected to reduce travel time from 46 minutes to 11 minutes. The project serves over 1 million residents and is being delivered in three phases, with the first already 50% complete.
Hessa street upgrade
The Hessa Street expansion features 9,000 metres of bridges over four intersections. Once completed, it will double road capacity from 4,000 to 8,000 vehicles per hour and cut travel time from 30 minutes to 7 minutes, easing travel for around 640,000 residents. The project also includes a 13.5-km cycling and e-scooter track with landmark bridges over Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
Al Fay Road Corridor
This key arterial route is being extended to boost capacity for an additional 64,400 vehicles per hour. The project involves 12,900 metres of roads and 13,500 metres of bridges across five upgraded intersections, directly benefiting approximately 600,000 residents.
Rapid traffic relief on Sheikh Zayed Road
Between January and April 2025, Dubai implemented seven quick-win traffic initiatives on Sheikh Zayed Road, which collectively reduced congestion by 5—10%. Key measures included a dynamic tolling system, resulting in a 9% drop in traffic volume and a 4% rise in public transport use. Parking reforms also helped ease congestion and encouraged more commuters to shift to sustainable transport.
Smart technologies speed up projects delivery
Dubai is leveraging AI-powered monitoring systems, drones, and time-lapse imaging to accelerate road construction and improve project oversight. These tools have doubled on-site supervision, reduced survey times by 60%, and cut delays by 20% through early detection of issues.
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Cycling infrastructure expansion
Complementing road upgrades, Dubai has completed 557km of cycling tracks, with 100km under construction and 185km in the pipeline. In 2024 alone, the city recorded 47 million cycling trips, underscoring the growing shift toward active and sustainable mobility.
These infrastructure upgrades reflect Dubai’s long-term mobility vision under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to ensure smooth traffic flow, reduced commute times, and enhanced connectivity across the emirate laying the groundwork for a future-ready, sustainable transport network.
Source: Gulf News
