Dubai marks milestone as $354m Road and Road Works cut delied from 12 minutes to 90 seconds
Dubai has given new ownership to its road and transport infrastructure as Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum reviewed progress on major infrastructure projects designed to transform travel, improve travel characteristics and cut travel times across all key parameters.
The crown prince of Dubai, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai raised the ownership of roads, parades and streets in line with Dubai’s vision of building an integrated and sustainable city.
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the AED1.3BN ($354M) Trade Center RoundAbout and Al Mustaqbal road development projects, including the construction of seven bridges and three tunnels covering a distance of 6.5km.
Dubai Traffic system unveiled
Serving seven major residential and development areas – including the Dubai World Trade Center, the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), the museum of the future, the projects are expected to benefit more than one million residents and visitors and reduce travel time by 75 percent.
He also reviewed the initiative of the Dubai Tunnels, which will transform important infrastructure into landmarks of the world of art in terms of Murals in collaboration with local artists.
Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Matar Al Tayer, director-general, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Al Tayer preferred him on the scale of the Dubai Kilometer Network, which handles more than 3.5m vehicles every day.
Dubai has gained worldwide recognition for the speed and efficiency of its transport infrastructure development.
RTA strategy
RTA builds an average of 829 kilometers every year – more than double the average of 400 – and achieves a cost efficiency of 1.5 to 2.5 the largest cities of Moscow, Shenzhen and Milan.
Road and transit projects also contributed to the increase in real estate prices by 6 percent of 16 percent. Between 2025 and 2027, RTAs plan to deliver 72 new projects at an estimated cost of AED35BN ($9.53bn).
The Trade Center RoundAbout Phulamement Procument Project – One of the most important high-rises in Dubai – has reached 40 percent.
It connects Sheikh Yayed Road with five arterial routes:
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street
- Sheikh Rashid Street
- 2nd December Street
- Zabeel Palace Street
- Al Majlis Street
The opening of sections begins in January of the following year with two bridges operating on the road from the 2nd of December towards Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Street.
Bridges and tunnels
The second bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Street to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street will be opened in March, followed by two additional bridges in October 2026 serving traffic from Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Majlis Street to 2 Kijemba Street.
The project involves building five bridges of up to 5km and converting the existing area into a meeting point which is more than improving the flow of traffic on many roads.
Once completed, the genction volume will repeat, cut the average delay from 12 minutes to 90 seconds and reduce the travel time from Sheikh Khalifa Bin
Sheikh Hamdan was also bet in Al Mustaqbal Street Provinces, from Zabeel Palace Street to Financial Center Street.
Scheduled to be completed in 2027, the project includes bridges and tunnels of up to 1,500m and will widen the road from three to four lanes in each area.
Capacity will increase by 33 percent – from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour – while reducing travel time from 13 to six minutes.
Advanced traffic flow
The project includes three lanes of up to 1,100m at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and the Trade Center, a 400m two Lane Trade Street Traffic, and an extension works over 3,500km.
Additional improvements include a freeway connection at Exwile Street and Trade Center Street, a new pedestrian bridge at Sukuk Street and improvements to existing land along the corridor.
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the new architectural identity, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master plan, designed to integrate the city’s aesthetics while incorporating sustainability, innovation and building materials inspired by Dubai’s heritage.
The identity applies to bridges, canopies, lighting, street furniture and other urban objects to ensure visual and functional harmony.
Under the plan, Dubai is divided into six zones – residential, rural, industrial, utility, historical and attractive, each with architectural styles, with architectural styles to ensure consistency while reflecting the unique character of the Emirate.
Dubai’s urban challenge
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the Dubai Urban Challenge, a global competition that attracted more than 500 artists and designers from 91 countries.
Winners include Oliver Charles from the United Kingdom for finding the rope on time; Mohammed Ayash of Saudi Arabia for breathing masonry; and giulietta debruttti from Argentina for the Echo.
The tour is concluded with a review of the Dubai Tunnels documents, which will decorate 18 tunnels in all three sections using smart lights, to strengthen the power of Dubai as an aesthetic leader as a great designer.
