RTA launches major upgrade of Umm Suqeim St to boost traffic flow

Gulf Business

02-06-2025

Image: Dubai Media Office/ RTA
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major urban infrastructure project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street.
The project spans from the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, and is part of a broader plan to enable uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a distance of 20 kilometres.
It is designed to improve traffic flow, accommodate urban growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.
Unlike traditional roadworks, the development incorporates creative and aesthetic urban design elements. These include upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, complete streets (boulevards), and vibrant community spaces to promote social interaction and create inclusive environments.
A direct link will also be established between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities.
The initiative is part of RTA's master plan to overhaul the surrounding
Further details will be announced in due course.
Strategic corridor to serve over two million residents
Mattar Al Tayer, DG and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at
Al Tayer noted that the project will enhance connectivity across four major transport corridors—Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road.
The road's capacity will rise to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, reducing travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to six.
It will serve areas including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz.
Six key intersections, 4,100 metres of tunnels and bridges
Al Tayer added that the project will upgrade six major intersections: Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road.
Plans include the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, totaling 4,100 metres.
At the Jumeirah Street junction, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction and a signalised junction will be built.
A second two-lane tunnel at Al Wasl Street will facilitate movement from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street. Two bridges will be constructed at Sheikh Zayed Road to eliminate traffic conflicts, and a tunnel at First Al Khail Street will accommodate traffic from Al Barsha to Sheikh Zayed Road.
The stretch between First Al Khail and Al Asayel Streets will be widened to four lanes per direction. At Al Khail Road, two flyovers will be constructed — one linking Al Khail Road with Al Quoz Industrial Area, and another enabling traffic from Umm Suqeim Street to head toward Deira.
The RTA is currently progressing on a 4.6-kilometre stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This includes redeveloping the intersection at Al Barsha South near Kings' School through an 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction and a surface-level intersection.
The work is over 70 per cent complete and is expected to open in Q3 2025.
Al Qudra Road intersections also set for upgrade
A separate project is also underway to enhance intersections along Al Qudra Road, from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road via Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. It includes 2,700 metres of bridges and 11.6 kilometres of road widening, cutting travel time from 9.4 to 2.8 minutes.
Key upgrades include a 600-metre, eight-lane bridge at the intersection between Al Qudra Road and the street connecting Arabian Ranches with Dubai Studio City, and a 700-metre, seven-lane bridge at Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street.
Additional ramps will ensure smoother traffic transitions.
Further developments feature a 500-metre bridge connecting Al Qudra Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street toward Jebel Ali, and a 900-metre bridge serving traffic headed toward Dubai's city centre and airport.
Service roads spanning three kilometres will be constructed along both sides of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street.
The project also includes the extension of Al Qudra Road from Emirates Road to a key roundabout serving development zones, with additional lanes in both directions.
A new road will be developed in the southern section of the development zone to link it with Emirates Road, alongside increasing lane capacity on both sides of Emirates Road to improve access to neighbouring projects.