Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) inaugurated a mjaor bridge aimed at enhancing traffic movement from Infinity Bridge through Al Mina Street to the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. The 1,210-metre bridge comprises three lanes and has the capacity to accommodate 4,800 vehicles per hour.
The opening is part of Phase 4 of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which stretches 4.8 km along Sheikh Rashid Road, starting from its intersection with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street to the Falcon Intersection on Al Mina Street. This phase encompasses the construction of five bridges, totaling 3.1 km, with a collective capacity of 19,400 vehicles per hour across all lanes.
Additional developments
Furthermore, the project includes the enhancement of 4.8 km of roadway, alongside improvements to surface intersections on Jumeirah Street, Al Mina Street, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Street. It also features the construction of two pedestrian bridges—one on Sheikh Rashid Road and the second on Al Mina Street.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, remarked: “Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project is being implemented under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, with the close follow-up of His Highness 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. The project is designed to support ongoing urban development along the corridor while meeting the demands of urban and population growth.”
Al Tayer further added: “The new bridge enhances traffic flow and facilitates movement from Infinity Bridge via Al Mina Street to Sheikh Rashid Road, extending to its intersection with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. It improves connectivity to key residential and commercial areas, including Al Hudaiba, Al Raffa, Al Jafiliya, Al Mankhool, Al Kifaf, and Al Karama.”
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Project completion status
“RTA has completed 90 percent of Phase 4 of the project, with the remaining two bridges set to open in the second quarter of this year. The first bridge, spanning 780 metres, features three lanes and a capacity of 4,800 vehicles per hour, improving traffic flow from Infinity Bridge through Al Mina Street towards Al Wasl Street. The second bridge, extending 985 metres, consists of two lanes with a capacity of 3,200 vehicles per hour, serving traffic from Jumeirah Street towards Al Mina Street and Falcon intersection,” Al Tayer noted.
In December, RTA opened a 1,335-metre bridge with three lanes and a capacity of 4,800 vehicles per hour. This bridge facilitates traffic movement from the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street with Sheikh Rashid Road towards Al Mina Street and Falcon intersection, extending to Infinity Bridge. Its opening has significantly improved traffic flow from Sheikh Rashid Road to Infinity Bridge and onward to Deira.
Earlier this year, the Authority inaugurated a 605-metre bridge with two lanes and a capacity of 3,200 vehicles per hour. This bridge enhances traffic movement from the intersection of Al Mina Street with Sheikh Rashid Road towards the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street.
Significance of the project
The Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project is among RTA’s largest ongoing initiatives, with substantial progress already made. Stretching 13 kilometres, the corridor runs along Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street, involving the development of 15 intersections. Due to its scale and complexity, the project has been divided into five phases.
The corridor aims to enhance connectivity between Deira and Bur Dubai while supporting major developments, including Dubai Islands, Deira Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid. Once completed, it will benefit approximately one million residents, ensuring smoother traffic flow, increasing road capacity and efficiency, and remarkably reducing travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes by 2030. Additionally, the project is designed to elevate road safety standards while delivering an estimated AED 45 billion in economic benefits over the next 20 years.
