5-minute drive: New Dubai bridges, tunnels at 4 key junctions to ease traffic

Four major intersections in Dubai are being upgraded with new bridges, tunnels, lanes and service roads to improve traffic flow across some of the city’s busiest routes.

The works form part of the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which covers roads linking Oud Metha Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Asayel Street, Al Wasl Club Street, Al Khail Road and Dubai-Al Ain Road.

The project is expected to cut travel time from 20 minutes to five and will serve key areas including Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha and Umm Hurair. A new three-lane bridge has already opened, with two tunnels and another bridge due to follow by the end of August.

The upgrades are intended to improve traffic movement towards Al Garhoud Bridge, Dubai-Al Ain Road and Bur Dubai.

An additional lane will be added to the left-turn ramp from Oud Metha Street onto Sheikh Rashid Road towards Al Garhoud Bridge.

The service road on Sheikh Rashid Road between the existing bridge and the Al Zahrawi Street exit will be upgraded to reduce traffic overlaps and improve road safety.

Right-turn lanes from Sheikh Rashid Road onto Oud Metha Street towards Dubai-Al Ain Road will increase from two to three.

A tunnel will connect the Oud Metha Street service road to the Sheikh Rashid Road intersection for motorists heading towards Bur Dubai.

Three bridges are included in the development of this intersection, improving links between Al Asayel Street, Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road.

A separate two-lane bridge will serve left-turn traffic from Al Asayel Street towards Oud Metha Street.

The works at this intersection are intended to improve traffic heading towards Al Khail Road and Business Bay Crossing.

A two-lane bridge serves motorists travelling from Al Asayel Street towards Al Khail Road in the direction of Business Bay Crossing.

The fourth intersection upgrade will improve traffic movement between Al Khail Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Oud Metha Street and Al Wasl Club Street.

An additional lane will be added to the left-turn ramp from Al Khail Road towards Dubai-Al Ain Road.

A one-lane tunnel will serve traffic travelling from Dubai–Al Ain Road towards Al Wasl Club Street.