Mega project: RTA unveils major project to reduce travel time on famous Al Wasl Road in Dubai
Upon completion, travel time along the corridor will reduce from 9.4 to just 2.8 minutes
Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a sweeping infrastructure project to redevelop city’s famous artry Al Wasl Road as part of a 15-kilometre corridor enhancement stretching from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street.
The project forms part of a wider master plan to upgrade road networks in the city, including Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets, in an effort to improve traffic flow, road capacity, and urban aesthetics.
The redevelopment includes widening Al Wasl Road from two to three lanes in each direction, upgrading six key intersections, and constructing five traffic tunnels totalling 3,850 metres. Once complete, the improvements are expected to halve travel times and increase road capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: “The Al Wasl Road Development Project is part of RTA’s overarching strategy to expand and modernise the road network across Dubai. In addition to boosting mobility and reducing congestion, the project incorporates creative urban design elements such as pedestrian walkways, cycling tracks, landscaped boulevards, and vibrant public spaces that will enrich the overall environment and promote community interaction.”
“These projects reflect our commitment to improving not just mobility, but also the quality of urban life for residents and visitors. They form an essential part of Dubai’s vision to become a global model for smart, sustainable, and people-centric city planning,” Al Tayer added.
Six intersections and five tunnels
The project focuses on six major intersections along Al Wasl Road, including Al Thanya, Al Manara, Umm Al Sheif, Umm Amara, Al Orouba, and Al Safa Streets.
Among the key developments:
A three-lane unidirectional tunnel will be constructed at Al Manara Street, branching into two routes with a total capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour.
A two-lane tunnel at Umm Al Sheif Street will span 750 metres, supporting 3,200 vehicles per hour from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street.
A dual-direction tunnel at Umm Amara Street will cover 700 metres and handle 6,400 vehicles per hour.
Al Orouba Street will feature a 625-metre unidirectional tunnel toward Jumeirah Street, capable of serving 1,400 vehicles per hour.
At Al Safa Street, a tunnel will stretch 750 metres with two lanes in each direction, accommodating 6,400 vehicles per hour.
Al Satwa roundabout
The plan also calls for converting the Al Satwa roundabout into a signalised intersection and implementing surface-level improvements at five intersections along Jumeirah Street. These include enhancements to the traffic signal control system to further optimise traffic flow.
The Al Wasl Road initiative is part of a broader infrastructure development plan that includes significant upgrades to Umm Suqeim Street. The street is being enhanced from Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, increasing its capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour. Once completed, travel time along the corridor is expected to drop from 20 minutes to just 6 minutes.
This segment of the project involves six major intersections and includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, totalling 4,100 metres. A tunnel at the intersection with Jumeirah Street will support two lanes in each direction, complemented by a signalised surface junction. Another tunnel at Al Wasl Road will allow seamless traffic movement from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street.
New bridges
Two new bridges at the Sheikh Zayed Road intersection are designed to eliminate traffic weaving, while a tunnel at First Al Khail Road will facilitate smoother movement from Al Barsha to Sheikh Zayed Road. The street will also gain a fourth lane in each direction between First Al Khail and Al Asayel Streets, along with two elevated ramps at the Al Khail Road intersection — one connecting to Al Quoz Industrial Area and the other streamlining traffic toward Deira.
Al Qudra Road upgrades
In addition to the Al Wasl and Umm Suqeim projects, the RTA is progressing with the development of Al Qudra Road, from Al Khail Road to Emirates Road. This includes an 800-metre tunnel at Al Barsha South with four lanes in each direction and a signalised intersection.
The plan features multiple intersection upgrades along Al Qudra Road, from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and ending at Emirates Road. It also includes 2,700 metres of new bridges and the widening of an 11.6km section of Al Qudra Road.
Upon completion, travel time along this corridor will be reduced from 9.4 minutes to just 2.8 minutes, significantly enhancing connectivity for surrounding residential and industrial areas.
Three million residents
According to the RTA, the Al Wasl Road project and related upgrades are designed to support more than three million residents across multiple districts. The improvements will enhance access to key destinations including beaches, luxury hotels, residential communities, and major commercial zones.
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