Dubai RTA upgrades linking Sheikh Zayed Road cut travel time by 40%
Road expansions improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on key routes
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has completed a set of strategic traffic improvement works aimed at enhancing connectivity between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road through Al Meydan Street.
Widening exit to double capacity
The initiative, part of RTA’s broader efforts to optimise the city’s road network, included the widening the Exit No. D69 from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Meydan Street, doubling its capacity from one to two lanes.
This upgrade has increased the exit’s handling capacity from 1,500 to 3,000 vehicles per hour, slashing travel time during peak hours by up to 40 per cent and reducing queue lengths by 50 per cent.
Major infrastructure upgrade
In another major enhancement, the capacity of the bridge over First Al Khail Road was increased from three to four lanes in both directions. The upgrade benefits vehicles travelling between Al Khail Road, Al Meydan Street, Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Hadiqa Street.
Bridge capacity increased from 4,500 to 6,000 vehicles per hour
This enhancement raised the bridge’s capacity by more than 33 per cent, from 4,500 to 6,000 vehicles per hour, and reduced peak-hour crossing times from seven minutes to four, an improvement of approximately 40 per cent.
Reducing waiting times by 50%
To further improve vehicle flow, RTA also widened the connecting ramps between the surface road and the bridge over First Al Khail Road from one lane to two, improving access for vehicles heading towards Al Khail Road and Al Meydan Street. This improvement has significantly eased congestion, particularly during midday and evening rush hours, reducing waiting times by more than 50 per cent.
“The enhancement played a key role in facilitating smoother vehicle movement between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road in both directions,” the RTA said.
The project aligns with RTA’s master plan to implement more than 75 traffic improvement projects across key areas of the city this year. It aligns with RTA’s strategy for sustainable development aimed at improving quality of life, enhancing community well-being, and further cementing Dubai’s position as a global leader in integrated infrastructure and seamless, sustainable mobility.
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