The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has contracted new access points to Dubai Islands from Bur Dubai, marking a significant advancement in Dubai infrastructure development. The move is in line with the directives of the leadership to enhance the infrastructure of the road network and mobility system in the emirate. Moreover, the initiative is part of the traffic solutions agreement between RTA and Dubai Holding.
This project aims to support ongoing development, address the demands of urban and demographic growth, improve traffic flow, and facilitate the movement of residents and visitors across the emirate. The work includes the construction of a bridge spanning 1,425 metres, with four lanes in each direction, for AED786 million ($214 million).
Project overview
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), stated: “The project involves the construction of a direct entry and exit for the Dubai Islands project from the Bur Dubai side. A bridge will be built over Dubai Creek, between the Infinity Bridge and Port Rashid Development area. The bridge will be approximately 1,425 metres long, with four lanes in each direction, and a total capacity of 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. The bridge will rise 18.5 metres above the surface of Dubai Creek, and the navigational channel will be 75 metres wide, allowing various types of vessels to pass through the Creek.
“The project also includes constructing a dedicated pedestrian and cycling track connecting both ends of the bridge, with elevators to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, surface roads extending 2,000 metres will be constructed to connect the bridge with the existing roads on both sides of Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai areas,” he noted.
Continued development
Al Tayer added: “This project represents the second contract under the project to build entry and exit points for Dubai Islands. In collaboration with Dubai Holding, RTA completed a project in 2020 that involved constructing three bridges spanning a total of 1.6 kilometres. It included a two-lane bridge facilitating free-flowing traffic from Dubai Islands to Al Khaleej Street northward, a three-lane bridge enabling smooth traffic from Dubai Islands to Al Khaleej Street southward, and a two-lane bridge allowing seamless traffic from Al Khaleej Street southward to Dubai Islands.”
Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project
Al Tayer further stated: “The Dubai Islands access project forms part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project, one of RTA’s key strategic road projects currently in progress. This massive project involves developing 15 intersections over a 13-kilometre stretch, and it has been divided into five phases due to its scale. The corridor will serve both Deira and Bur Dubai areas, along with several key development projects, including Dubai Islands, Deira Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid. The project is expected to benefit around one million people. Furthermore, the development of the corridor will reduce travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes, yielding an estimated saving of nearly AED45 billion over 20 years.”
Partnership to support communities
Amit Kaushal, group chief executive officer of Dubai Holding, commented: “Our partnership with RTA exemplifies our commitment to advancing Dubai’s infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across key developments in the emirate. This initiative will significantly improve access to Dubai Islands, facilitating smoother mobility for residents and visitors. At Dubai Holding, we are dedicated to supporting the development of integrated, future-ready communities that align with the city’s vision for sustainable growth and innovation.”
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Key development areas
The agreement for the implementation of traffic solutions, signed between the RTA and Dubai Holding, valued at AED6 billion, plays a key role in enhancing the emirate’s infrastructure, elevating it to the level of major development projects and integrated planned communities such as Dubai Islands, Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT), Palm Beach Towers, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Park, Arjan, Majan, Liwan (Phase 1), Nad Al Hamar, Villanova, and Serena. Additionally, the agreement covers the construction of bridges and roads to improve access to five key development areas: Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai Production City, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, and International City (Phase 3).
Under the agreement, four additional entry and exit points will be constructed for Jumeirah Village Circle, along with flyovers that will double the capacity of these access points by 100 percent and reduce travel time on entrances, exits, and internal roads by 70 percent. The agreement also includes the construction of additional bridges for entry and exit from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Dubai Production City, which will cut travel time on these access points, exits, and internal roads by 50 percent. Furthermore, surface improvements will be made at the interchanges at the Business Bay entrance from Sheikh Zayed Road, including the construction of a pedestrian bridge to separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the Business Bay intersection with Al Khail Road. Surface enhancements will also be made to the internal roads in the Towers area. These improvements are expected to reduce travel time on access points, exits, and internal roads by 30 percent.
Enhancements to access and traffic flow
The agreement also includes the addition of acceleration and deceleration lanes along Palm Jumeirah Street at six key locations to enhance traffic flow. Two pedestrian bridges will replace surface crossings, further improving traffic flow and ensuring pedestrian safety, while reducing travel time within Palm Jumeirah by 40 percent. Additionally, the agreement covers the expansion of the entrance to Dubai International City (Phase 3) from Al Manama Street, which includes adding a new lane, widening internal roads, and upgrading surface intersections to signalised intersections, thereby improving traffic management and safety. These improvements will reduce travel time from 15 minutes to five minutes.
