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Dubai traffic: Now, travel time across 14 streets slashed by up to 60%

Development work will continue and the plan includes completing multiple projects to enhance traffic flow across 31 sites

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a series of traffic improvements at 14 sites across Dubai in 2023. These development measures have reduced travel time by up to 60 per cent at some areas and enhanced the vehicle capacity of numerous roads by as much as 25 per cent.

These projects are part of RTA’s Quick Traffic Improvements Plan, which aims to implement 45 traffic solutions across various locations in the emirate in 2023-2024.

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Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA said, “Carrying out these improvements is a testament to RTA’s commitment of executing the directives of our leaders. Our efforts are geared towards accommodating the emirate's demographic and urban expansion through continual advancements in the infrastructure sector. Our objective is to expand the road network's capacity and align with Dubai's sustainable growth, which would ultimately ensure the happiness and well-being of the population and make Dubai the best city for living.”

He added: “The improvements are set to continue throughout 2024. The plan includes executing multiple projects aimed at enhancing traffic flow across 31 sites in the emirate. Main areas include Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Al Awir Street, Abu Baker Al Siddique street, Al Rebat Street, Al Khail Road, and Al Meydan Street.”

Key traffic improvements undertaken in 2023 included the upgrade of the free right exit from Al Asayel Street to Financial Centre Street towards Al Khail Road. This modification doubled the exit's capacity from one lane to two, enhanced the traffic flow and decreased the travel time from the Business Bay area to the Financial Centre Street from 5 minutes to 1 minute only.

Furthermore, substantial improvements on Al Fay Street added several lanes leading to the roundabout and utilised the existing bridge to ease congestion and enhance traffic circulation. It resulted in halving the travel time for both entering and exiting the Dubai Production District and Dubai Sports City District by 50 per cent.

In 2023, the traffic works undertaken by RTA included the introduction of a free exit from Al-Saba Street towards Garn Al Sabkha Street in the direction of Dubai Marina. It resulted in easing congestion and cutting travel times in the vicinity by around 60 per cent.

Additionally, a traffic solution was implemented at the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street and Al-Asayel Street by expanding the free right exit from Al Asayel Street to Umm Suqeim Street and creating a dedicated U-turn on Umm Suqeim Street for traffic inbound from Al Khail Road. These measures reduced the travel time for exiting Al Barsha to Umm Suqeim Street enroute to Al Khail Road, from 15 minutes down to just 5 minutes.

Measures taken also included widening the right-hand exit from Al Rebat Street to the Business Bay Crossing from one lane to three and fitting it with traffic lights to increase capacity and improve the level of traffic service in that direction. These measures have eliminated vehicle queues on Al Rebat Street, minimised traffic overlapping, and elevated traffic safety standards.

Furthermore, the exit on Emirates Road towards the Maliha Street intersection (Exit 71) was widened from two lanes to three. This upgrade boosted the exit's capacity from 4,000 vehicles per hour to 6,000 per hour, which enhanced the traffic circulation in the area.

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