Dubai’s final bridge under the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is set to open on Friday, October 30, reducing travel time between Al Majlis Street and 2nd December Street from six minutes to just one minute.
The 1,000-metre, two-lane bridge will accommodate approximately 3,000 vehicles per hour, helping improve traffic flow at a major intersection connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with nearby commercial and residential districts.
Dh696 Million Project Nears Completion
The bridge opening marks the completion of all major works under the Dh696 million-plus development, which includes five bridges with a combined length of 5,000 metres. The project aims to reduce congestion, improve road connectivity and provide smoother access to some of Dubai’s busiest business destinations.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said the project supports the leadership’s vision to upgrade road infrastructure and strengthen connections between key economic and commercial centres.
He added that the development would increase road capacity to accommodate Dubai’s population growth, urban expansion and economic development while improving mobility for residents and visitors.
Faster Journeys to Major Business Districts
The intersection is strategically located along Sheikh Zayed Road, providing access to major destinations such as Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
DWTC hosts major international exhibitions and conferences, including GITEX, Arabian Travel Market and Gulfood, while DIFC serves as a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
According to Al Tayer, the project will provide free-flowing connections in multiple directions, strengthen links between Sheikh Zayed Road and surrounding streets, and reduce average delays at the intersection from 12 minutes to 90 seconds.
More than 500,000 residents and tourists are expected to benefit from the improvements. Areas served include Za’abeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool, along with nearby commercial and residential communities.
Five Bridges to Improve Traffic Movement
The project has transformed the former World Trade Centre Roundabout into an at-grade intersection supported by five bridges designed to improve traffic movement in different directions.
The bridges include a 1,000-metre connection between Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street towards Deira, with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour.
Two bridges linking Sheikh Rashid Street with 2nd December Street provide two lanes in each direction. Together, they extend 2,000 metres and can accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour.
Another two bridges connecting Al Majlis Street with 2nd December Street have a combined length of 2,000 metres and a capacity of approximately 6,000 vehicles per hour.
Together, the five bridges are expected to improve connectivity between Sheikh Zayed Road, Deira, Jumeirah, Al Satwa and surrounding areas.
Al Mustaqbal Street Project Expected in 2027
Further road improvements are underway around the World Trade Centre area through the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which is scheduled for completion in 2027.
The project covers the corridor between Za’abeel Palace Street and Financial Centre Street and includes three tunnels with a combined length of 1,100 metres at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street.
It also includes a 400-metre, two-lane bridge serving traffic travelling from Dubai World Trade Centre towards the intersection of Za’abeel Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street.
In addition, a 3,500-metre section of Al Mustaqbal Street will be widened from three to four lanes in each direction. Planned improvements also include better connections at Exhibition Street and Trade Centre Street, a pedestrian bridge on Al Sukook Street and upgrades to existing intersections.
The RTA expects the improvements to increase Al Mustaqbal Street’s capacity by 33 per cent, from 9,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour.
Once both projects are completed, they are expected to improve access to major business and commercial destinations, reduce travel delays and strengthen Dubai’s road network to accommodate future traffic growth.
Image caption: Dubai’s final bridge under the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is scheduled to open on October 30.
