Major milestone: RTA completes Al Shindagha Corridor works, reducing travel time by 85 per cent in Dubai

Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has achieved a major milestone with the completion of all phases of the Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project on the Bur Dubai side.

With the inauguration of the fifth and final bridge at the Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mina Street intersection, the RTA has successfully unlocked seamless connectivity from Al Garhoud Bridge to the Infinity Bridge and beyond — paving the way for faster, safer, and more efficient travel across one of Dubai’s busiest corridors.

In a strategic push to keep pace with Dubai’s rapid urban expansion, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised all infrastructure works of the Al Shindagha Corridor on the Bur Dubai side.

This monumental project, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and closely overseen by 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, is the RTA’s most extensive road infrastructure initiative to date.

The project includes 18 kilometres of bridges and tunnels, 15 major intersections, and serves more than one million residents across key areas such as Deira, Bur Dubai, Dubai Islands, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid.

The final bridge, part of the Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mina Street intersection, has been opened to traffic. This completes the 3.1km bridge network in the area, with a total capacity of 19,400 vehicles per hour. The wider intersection upgrade also includes pedestrian bridges and revamped surface roads to boost safety and mobility.

With all phases completed, the corridor now facilitates free-flowing traffic from Al Garhoud Bridge to the Infinity Bridge and onward to the Waterfront Market. Travel times along the route have plummeted from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes, and as low as 5 minutes between some key segments like Jumeirah Street and Al Wasl Road.

Key components such as the Falcon Intersection and the iconic Infinity Bridge now support traffic capacities of 28,800 and 24,000 vehicles per hour, respectively. The Infinity Bridge alone is a new architectural landmark featuring 12 lanes and a dedicated cycle track, and is symbolic of Dubai’s ambition and innovation.

Al Khaleej Street Tunnel

Currently 30% complete, this 1,650-metre tunnel will link the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to Cairo Street, with six lanes and a capacity of 12,000 vehicles per hour. Additional upgrades include converting key roundabouts into signalised junctions.

Dubai Islands access bridges

Two major projects will link Dubai Islands from both Deira and Bur Dubai. The Deira-side access includes five bridges totalling 2,571 metres with a capacity of 20,700 vehicles per hour. Meanwhile, the new Bur Dubai access bridge, now under construction, will span 1,425 metres over Dubai Creek and serve 16,000 vehicles per hour.

A vision realised

Commenting on the achievement, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, stated: “The Al Shindagha Corridor reflects our commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure to meet Dubai’s growth. Once fully operational, the corridor will cut travel times by up to 85%, enhance safety, and support major economic zones. The estimated economic value from reduced travel time is Dh45 billion over the next 20 years.”