Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a comprehensive infrastructure project aimed at redeveloping the city’s renowned artery, Al Wasl Road, as part of a 15-kilometre corridor enhancement extending from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street.
This initiative is part of a broader master plan to upgrade the city’s road networks, including Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets, to enhance traffic flow, road capacity, and urban aesthetics. The redevelopment will involve widening Al Wasl Road from two to three lanes in each direction, upgrading six key intersections, and constructing five traffic tunnels totalling 3,850 meters. Once completed, these enhancements are expected to halve travel times and boost 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, stated: “The Al Wasl Road Development Project is part of RTA’s overarching strategy to expand and modernize 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.
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.
Key developments
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. Additionally, a two-lane tunnel at Umm Al Sheif Street will span 750 meters, supporting 3,200 vehicles per hour from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street. A dual-direction tunnel at Umm Amara Street will cover 700 meters and manage 6,400 vehicles per hour. Furthermore, Al Orouba Street will feature a 625-metre unidirectional tunnel toward Jumeirah Street, capable of serving 1,400 vehicles per hour. Lastly, at Al Safa Street, a tunnel will extend 750 meters with two lanes in each direction, accommodating 6,400 vehicles per hour.
Al Satwa roundabout improvements
The plan also includes converting the Al Satwa roundabout into a signalized intersection and implementing surface-level enhancements at five intersections along Jumeirah Street. These improvements will feature upgrades to the traffic signal control system to further optimize traffic flow.
The Al Wasl Road initiative is part of a larger infrastructure development plan that encompasses significant upgrades to Umm Suqeim Street. This street is being enhanced from Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, increasing its capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour. Upon completion, travel time along this corridor is expected to decrease 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 meters. A tunnel at the intersection with Jumeirah Street will support two lanes in each direction, complemented by a signalized surface junction. Another tunnel at Al Wasl Road will facilitate seamless traffic movement from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street.
Traffic flow improvements
Additionally, two new bridges at the Sheikh Zayed Road intersection are designed to eliminate traffic weaving, while a tunnel at First Al Khail Road will promote 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 directing traffic toward Deira.
In addition to the Al Wasl and Umm Suqeim projects, the RTA is advancing the development of Al Qudra Road, stretching from Al Khail Road to Emirates Road. This initiative includes an 800-meter tunnel at Al Barsha South, featuring four lanes in each direction and a signalized intersection.
The plan encompasses multiple intersection upgrades along Al Qudra Road, from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, concluding at Emirates Road. It also includes 2,700 meters of new bridges and the widening of an 11.6 km section of Al Qudra Road. Upon completion, travel time along this corridor will decrease from 9.4 minutes to just 2.8 minutes, significantly enhancing connectivity for nearby residential and industrial areas.
According to the RTA, the Al Wasl Road project and related upgrades are designed to support over three million residents across various districts. These improvements will facilitate access to key destinations, including beaches, luxury hotels, residential communities, and major commercial zones.
