RTA opens two new key bridges to ease traffic flow in Dubai

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Friday inaugurated two key bridges as part of Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which forms part of Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project.

The project contributes to linking Al Asayel Street with Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street. The first bridge serves traffic from Al Asayel Street towards Al Wasl Club Street, while the second bridge carries traffic from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road towards Business Bay Crossing.

RTA announced that 72% of the overall project has been completed, and 70% of the tunnel construction works have also been completed. The tunnel will serve traffic from Dubai-Al Ain Road towards Oud Maitha service road. Works are currently underway to complete additional road expansions and bridge structures, which are expected to open in the third quarter of this year.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “The development of Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Streets is being implemented under the directives of the wise leadership to complement Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development and accommodate the emirate’s ongoing urban expansion and population growth.

“The project is among the key road infrastructure developments, encompassing the upgrade of four major intersections, including the construction of bridges and two tunnels extending 4.3 km, in addition to roads extending 14 km.”

“The project serves several key service facilities, residential communities, and development zones, most notably Za’abeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Maitha, and Umm Hurair, in addition to major destinations such as Latifa Hospital and Al Wasl Club. The population of the areas served by the project is projected to exceed 420,000 residents by 2030.

“The project will increase the traffic-carrying capacity of Oud Maitha Street from 10,400 vehicles per hour in both directions to 15,600 vehicles per hour, representing an increase of 50%. It will also reduce average journey time from 20 minutes to 5 minutes, reflecting an improvement of 75%.”

He added: “The first bridge, inaugurated at the intersection of Oud Maitha Street with Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street, comprises two lanes with a design capacity of approximately 2,400 vehicles per hour. It accommodates traffic movements from Al Asayel Street towards Al Wasl Club Street, improving traffic flow efficiency and reducing travel times across the area.

“The second bridge is located at the intersection of Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road. It carries traffic movements from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road towards Business Bay Crossing and comprises two lanes with a capacity of approximately 3,000 vehicles per hour.”

Al Asayel and Oud Maitha Streets Development Project includes the upgrade of four major intersections. The first is the intersection of Oud Maitha Street and Sheikh Rashid Street, which involves the addition of a dedicated left-turn slip lane for traffic from Oud Maitha Street to Sheikh Rashid Street in the direction of Al Garhoud Bridge, increasing capacity to 1,800 vehicles per hour.

The works also include upgrading the service road along Sheikh Rashid Street between the existing bridge and the exit to Al Zahrawi Street, addressing current traffic overlap and enhancing road safety for motorists.

In addition, the number of right-turn lanes for traffic from Sheikh Rashid Street to Oud Maitha Street towards Dubai-Al Ain Road will increase from two lanes to three, raising capacity to 4,000 vehicles per hour. In addition, a tunnel will be constructed linking the service road on Oud Maitha Street to the Sheikh Rashid Street intersection for traffic heading towards Bur Dubai.

The project also includes the development of the intersection of Oud Maitha Street with Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street through the construction of two bridges linking Al Asayel Street with Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street.

The first bridge comprises two lanes with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour, serving traffic coming from Al Asayel Street towards Al Wasl Club Street. The second bridge comprises three lanes with a capacity of 3,600 vehicles per hour, serving traffic coming from Al Khail Road towards Al Asayel Street.