Al Safa Street development project to reduce travel time to 3 minutes
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the Al Safa Street Development Project, which is expected to reduce travel time along the route from 12 minutes to just 3 minutes.
The project will cover a 1,500-meter stretch from the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road in Dubai.
As part of the plan, RTA will construct two new bridges and two tunnels totaling 3,120 meters, doubling the road capacity from 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour.
One of the new bridges will serve traffic from Al Wasl Street to Sheikh Zayed Road and the Financial Centre Road. It will have four lanes and can carry 6,400 vehicles per hour. The second bridge, from Al Satwa Street, will have two lanes and a capacity of 2,800 vehicles per hour.
Meanwhile, one tunnel will serve motorists going from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road. The second tunnel, located at the intersection of Al Wasl Road and Al Safa Street, will have two lanes in each direction, handling up to 6,400 vehicles per hour in total.
The Al Safa project is part of a larger network upgrade that includes developments on Al Wasl Street and Umm Suqeim Street, aiming to improve connectivity across Dubai and support its growing population and urban development.
'The project serves a vital area hosting numerous tourism, artistic and sporting activities and events. It also houses key facilities, most notably City Walk, Coca-Cola Arena, educational institutions, residential and commercial areas, hotels and luxury restaurants. It also serves the city centre and development projects adjacent to the Financial Centre Street, with an estimated population of over one million,' said His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
In addition to the road expansion, the project will feature dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bicycles, enhanced intersections and traffic signals, and improvements in lighting, drainage, and urban design.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
20 minutes ago
- Hi Dubai
RTA Launches Al Safa Street Improvement Project to Boost Traffic Flow and Urban Connectivity
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the Al Safa Street Improvement Project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to double road capacity and cut travel time by 75% along a vital stretch of the city. The move aligns with Dubai's strategic push to keep pace with rapid urban growth and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. The project spans 1,500 metres, extending from Al Safa Street's junction with Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Street. It includes the construction of two bridges and two tunnels, totalling over 3,100 metres in length, and will increase the road's capacity from 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. Travel time on the stretch is expected to drop from 12 minutes to just 3 minutes. The initiative is part of a broader RTA master plan to enhance the city's road network, which also covers Umm Suqeim and Al Wasl Streets. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, said the improvements will serve a key area home to landmarks such as City Walk and the Coca-Cola Arena, and strengthen links with Downtown Dubai. In addition to traffic upgrades, the project emphasises pedestrian-friendly infrastructure with dedicated walkways, cycling tracks, and landscaped urban spaces. The first bridge will serve traffic from Al Wasl Street to Sheikh Zayed Road, while the second will support movement from Al Satwa Road. Tunnels will direct flow from Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Street towards Al Wasl Street and manage traffic at the Al Wasl–Al Safa intersection. Complementary enhancements include upgraded lighting, signage, rainwater drainage, and utility relocation. The Al Safa project is a key element in Dubai's long-term plan to expand arterial road connectivity, improve traffic safety, and reduce travel times across the city's rapidly evolving urban landscape. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Dubai's RTA announces street improvement project from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Street intersections
DUBAI: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announces Al Safa Street Improvement Project. The scope of this project extends from the junction of Al Safa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road to the junction with Al Wasl Street, spanning 1,500 metres. It is designed to keep pace with Dubai's comprehensive urban growth, accommodate the increasing population and urban expansion, and elevate the quality of life for both residents and visitors. The project involves the construction of two bridges and two tunnels with a combined length of 3,120 metres, along with the widening of surface roads and upgrades to intersections and traffic signal systems. Once complete, the travel time on Al Safa Street will reduce from 12 minutes to just 3 minutes, and the street's capacity will double from 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, stated: 'Al Safa Street Improvement Project is part of RTA's master plan to enhance the road network in the area, which also includes the development of Umm Suqeim and Al Wasl Streets.' 'The project serves a vital district renowned for hosting numerous tourism, cultural, and sporting events, and is home to key landmarks such as City Walk, Coca-Cola Arena, educational institutions, residential and commercial areas, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants. It also enhances connectivity with Downtown Dubai and nearby developments along Financial Centre Street, an area inhabited by over one million residents. 'The project places strong emphasis on creative and aesthetic elements, including the development of dedicated pedestrian walkways and cycling tracks, vibrant urban spaces that encourage community interaction, and the integration of a dynamic public realm enhanced by landscaped areas,' Al Tayer said. Al Tayer added: 'The project covers the development of Al Safa Street from its intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road to its intersection with Al Wasl Street and includes the construction of two bridges.' 'The first bridge will serve traffic coming from Al Wasl Street towards Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Street. It will comprise four lanes and span 1,005 metres, with an estimated capacity of 6,400 vehicles per hour." 'The second bridge will accommodate traffic coming from Al Satwa Road towards Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Street. It will feature two lanes and extend 360 metres, with a capacity of 2,800 vehicles per hour.' He revealed: 'The project also includes the construction of two tunnels. The first tunnel will serve traffic coming from Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Street towards Al Wasl Street. It will span 1,005 metres, comprise two lanes, and offer a capacity of 3,200 vehicles per hour.' 'The second tunnel will be located at the intersection of Al Wasl Street and Al Safa Street, extending 750 metres. It will feature two lanes in each direction, with a total capacity of approximately 6,400 vehicles per hour.' Al Tayer further explained: 'The project also involves widening Al Safa Street from three signalised lanes in each direction to four lanes—two providing free-flowing movement and two managed by traffic signals.' 'It also includes the development of dedicated pedestrian walkways and cycling tracks, the creation of vibrant urban spaces, and landscaped areas. Additional works cover upgrades to lighting systems, directional signage, the rainwater drainage network, and the protection and relocation of existing utility services.' Upon completion, the project will enhance traffic flow from the Upper Deck of Financial Centre Street and Sheikh Zayed Road towards Al Safa Street and Al Wasl Street, and vice versa. It will also strengthen connectivity across key arterial corridors in the area and elevate overall traffic safety standards.' Al Tayer continued: 'Al Safa Street Improvement Project is part of RTA's broader master plan to upgrade the road network in the area. This includes the development of Al Wasl Street from its intersection with Umm Suqeim Street to its intersection with 2nd December Street, covering 15 km in length, as well as the development of Umm Suqeim Street from the junction with Jumeirah Street to the intersection with Al Khail Road, spanning 6 km.' 'Al Wasl Street development project includes upgrades to six intersections, involving the enhancement of one existing junction and the construction of five tunnels with a total length of 3,850 metres. It also entails widening the road from two to three lanes in each direction. The project is expected to reduce travel time along Al Wasl Street by 50% and increase its capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.' 'The Umm Suqeim Street development project includes upgrades to six key intersections along the corridor, specifically with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Road, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. The project also involves the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, with a total combined length of 4,100 metres. He concluded: 'The project will enhance connectivity between four strategic corridors in the Emirate—Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will also increase the street's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly improving traffic flow and reducing travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just 6 minutes.'
Arabian Post
16 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Burj Khalifa–Dubai Mall Metro Station set for major expansion
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, in partnership with Emaar Properties, will upgrade the Burj Khalifa–Dubai Mall Metro Station, increasing its footprint from 6,700 to 8,500 sq m and boosting hourly passenger capacity from 7,250 to 12,320 – a 65 per cent rise. The development aims to accommodate surges during high‑demand periods such as New Year's Eve, public holidays and national events, projecting a daily throughput of up to 220,000 passengers. The station, originally opened in January 2010 to coincide with the launch of Burj Khalifa, has seen ridership climb steadily—from 6.13 million boardings in 2013 to over 10.57 million in 2024, representing nearly 58,000 daily entries and exits. RTA Director‑General Mattar Al Tayer highlighted that the surge in metro use, particularly during peak events, necessitated this strategic enhancement. The upgrade plan includes expanded concourse and platform areas, additional escalators and elevators, new entrances, pedestrian bridges and dedicated entry and exit gates. The number of fare barriers will rise, and commercial zones will be integrated to increase non‑fare revenue. Enhanced links to buses, bicycles, e‑scooters and pedestrian routes are also part of the design. Landscaping enhancements will complement improvements to passenger flow. ADVERTISEMENT Architectural design will reflect the seashell motif common to the Red and Green metro lines, prioritising clarity and reduced walking distances. Universal accessibility is central to the project, with provisions for passengers of determination, senior citizens and those with strollers. RTA's long‑term mobility strategy anticipates sustained demand through to 2040. Passenger volumes on New Year's Eve regularly exceed 110,000 at this location alone. Such figures underscore the station's importance as a gateway to Downtown Dubai, home to iconic attractions including Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
