Dubai's New Bridges and Tunnels to Cut Travel Time to 5 Minutes at Four Major Junctions
Dubai is set to significantly improve traffic flow across some of its busiest roads with the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which includes new bridges, tunnels, additional lanes, and service roads at four key intersections.
Led by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the project is expected to reduce travel times by up to 75%, cutting journeys from 20 minutes to just five minutes. The road upgrades will enhance connectivity between Oud Metha Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Asayel Street, Al Wasl Club Street, Al Khail Road, and Dubai–Al Ain Road, while serving key districts including Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha, and Umm Hurair.
A new three-lane bridge has already been opened to traffic, while two tunnels and another bridge are scheduled for completion by the end of August.
Intersection Upgrades
Oud Metha Street and Sheikh Rashid Road
The improvements at this junction aim to ease traffic heading toward Al Garhoud Bridge, Dubai–Al Ain Road, and Bur Dubai.
Key enhancements include:
- An additional lane on the left-turn ramp from Oud Metha Street to Sheikh Rashid Road toward Al Garhoud Bridge, increasing capacity to 1,800 vehicles per hour.
- Upgrading the Sheikh Rashid Road service road between the existing bridge and Al Zahrawi Street exit to improve safety and reduce traffic weaving.
- Expanding the right-turn movement from Sheikh Rashid Road to Oud Metha Street toward Dubai–Al Ain Road from two lanes to three, raising capacity to 4,000 vehicles per hour.
- Construction of a new tunnel linking the Oud Metha Street service road with the Sheikh Rashid Road intersection for traffic heading to Bur Dubai.
Oud Metha Street, Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street
The project includes three new bridges to improve connectivity between Al Asayel Street, Al Wasl Club Street, and Al Khail Road.
The upgrades feature:
- A two-lane bridge connecting Al Asayel Street to Al Wasl Club Street.
- A three-lane bridge carrying traffic from Al Khail Road to Al Asayel Street.
- A separate two-lane left-turn bridge from Al Asayel Street to Oud Metha Street, capable of handling 2,400 vehicles per hour.
- Improvements to the Al Wasl Club access road and upgrades to the club's entry and exit points to minimize congestion.
Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road
To improve traffic toward Business Bay Crossing, the intersection will include:
- A two-lane bridge connecting Al Asayel Street with Al Khail Road, accommodating 3,000 vehicles per hour.
- Expansion of the exit from Al Wasl Club Street to Al Khail Road from one lane to two.
- Construction of service roads on both sides of Al Wasl Club Street.
- Additional vehicle parking spaces.
Zabeel Palace Street, Al Khail Road and Oud Metha Street
Enhancements at this junction are designed to improve movement between Al Khail Road, Dubai–Al Ain Road, Oud Metha Street, and Al Wasl Club Street.
The works include:
- Adding another lane to the left-turn ramp from Al Khail Road to Dubai–Al Ain Road, doubling capacity from 900 to 1,800 vehicles per hour.
- Building a one-lane tunnel connecting Dubai–Al Ain Road to Al Wasl Club Street with capacity for 1,200 vehicles per hour.
- Widening the existing bridge from Al Khail Road to Oud Metha Street from two lanes to three, increasing capacity from 2,200 to 3,300 vehicles per hour.
Supporting Dubai's Growing Road Network
The Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project forms part of the wider Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project, which is designed to accommodate Dubai's rapid urban expansion, population growth, and increasing traffic demand while improving road safety and reducing congestion across the city.
