The Roads and Transport Authority Dubai (RTA) has announced a whole new contract for the ‘Improvement of Umm Suqeim Street Project’ worth Dh332 million. The new project is to cut down the travel time, enhance the smooth flow of traffic, and make better connectivity overall by offering a hassle-free commuting experience.

As per the new announcement by Roads and Transport Authority Dubai (RTA) on Sunday, January 7, expanding from the crisscrossing with Al Khail Road to the interchange with  Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, this new project is going to link seamlessly the four key traffic corridors at Al Khail Road, Dubai- Sheikh Zayed Road, Emirates Road, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

The transformation project will also involve a tunnel, that is 800 metres long including four major lanes in every direction. The main aim of this project is to maximise the capacity to operate 16,000 vehicles in one hour in both directions at Umm Suqeim Street and equally reduce the travel time from 9.7 minutes to 3.8 minutes between  Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

This road transformation project is in line with and directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai to upgrade the infrastructural network of this road to align with the sustainable growth of Dubai and equally accommodate all the urban and population need, additionally ensuring a stress-free flow of traffic. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council will also be following up with Roads and Transport Authority Dubai due to this project, said RTA.

The Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority, Mattar Al Tayer stated that the ‘Improvement of Umm Suqeim Street Project’ is critical to boosting connectivity between north-south vertical streets and east-west transverse streets.

Mattar Al Tayer said, “This project complements RTA’s continuous efforts to improve the corridor. In 2013, RTA completed the widening of Umm Suqeim Street from the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road to the intersection of Al Khail Road. This project included the construction of two bridges, with three lanes in each direction, and three pedestrian bridges.”

As a part of the roads and bridges forming due to the Dubai Hills Mall project, a bridge was already constructed on Umm Suqeim Street at the joining of the entrance of Al Barsha and Dubai Hills. 

Improvement Connectivity

The improvement project of Umm Suqeim Street is a 4.6 kilometre long project straightened out from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The project will also include an upgraded form of the intersection placed near Kings School, with Al Barsha South Street by structuring a tunnel 800 metres long including four lanes in every direction on Umm Suqeim Street. As a part of this project, there will be an intersection surface with signals will also be built. This project will make it easier for all the residents and visitors in Al Barsha South 1, 2, 3, and Dubai Hills to travel around all these popular areas in Dubai.

Mattar Al Tayer further explained, “This project aims to improve the connectivity of four major traffic corridors in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will enhance the capacity of the streets to accommodate up to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, ensure a smoother flow of traffic, and significantly reduce the travel time between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road from 9.7 to 3.8 minutes. This project will serve various residential and development areas, including Al Barsha South 1, 2, and 3, and Dubai Hills. These areas have an estimated population of about two million people,”

Completed Projects

Roads and Transport Authorities completed the initial period back in 2013 of the Improvement of the Umm Suqeim Street Project. The completed phase covered the sections between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. It showed the construction of two bridges with three lanes in each.

The first bridge is spread through the s the eastern street parallel to Al Asayel Street, while the second one crosses through the western street parallel to the First Al Khail Road. This phase of construction also included the structure of two signalised intersections at the joining part between Al Asayel Street and First Al Khail Road. Over and above that, there are three accessible bridges for pedestrians at Umm Suqeim Street were constructed so to foster pedestrian access between Al Barsha and Al Quoz.

Back in 2020, the Roads and Transport Authority Dubai opened a bridge 500 metres long as a part of the construction of Roads and Bridges including the Dubai Hills Mall Project. The bridge is placed at the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street and the entrance of Al Barsha and Dubai Hill Areas. The bridge includes four lanes in every direction and is also eligible for managing 16,000 vehicles in every hour.