Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a new four-lane bridge at the intersection of Al Qudra Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, completing a major phase of the road upgrade project aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing travel times.
The 700-metre bridge, which opened on August 9, carries up to 6,000 vehicles per hour and serves traffic travelling along Al Qudra Road towards Al Qudra City. It follows the opening of the opposite bridge in February, which serves traffic heading from Al Qudra City towards Umm Suqeim.
Traffic upgrades
RTA said the completed intersection layout will improve connectivity between key road corridors. In the fourth quarter of 2026, the authority plans to open two side ramp bridges to allow free-flow traffic in all directions without affecting the main carriageways.
The works include a 500-metre bridge connecting Al Qudra Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street towards Jebel Ali, a 900-metre bridge towards Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport, and three kilometres of new service roads.
Capacity boost
Once fully completed, the intersection upgrade will increase traffic capacity from 7,800 to 19,400 vehicles per hour and reduce waiting times by 85%, from nearly seven minutes to about one minute.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Roads and Transport Authority, said, “Al Qudra Road Development Project is being implemented in line with the directives of the wise leadership to continue advancing the infrastructure of the road network, keeping pace with Dubai’s rapid urban and population growth, improving mobility efficiency, supporting quality of life, and reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a leading city in providing world-class infrastructure.
The project forms part of RTA’s integrated plan to develop the emirate’s key corridors and strengthen connectivity across the road network. This will help accommodate growing traffic demand and keep pace with the expansion of current and future residential and development areas.”
He added, “The project involves upgrading several intersections and constructing bridges with a combined length of 4,000 metres, alongside the expansion and development of an 11.6-kilometre stretch of Al Qudra Road. The works will increase the road’s capacity and reduce journey time by 70%, from 9.4 minutes to 2.8 minutes. The project serves residential and development areas with more than 400,000 residents and visitors.”
Project progress
The Al Qudra Road Development Project includes upgrades to key intersections between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. Earlier this year, RTA opened a 1,200-metre bridge connecting Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City, increasing intersection capacity from 6,600 to 19,200 vehicles per hour.
The authority also completed improvements at the Emirates Road and Al Qudra Road intersection in May and plans to open an additional free-flow ramp later this month.
Overall, the project will improve access to communities including Arabian Ranches, Dubai Motor City, Dubai Studio City, Mudon, DAMAC Hills, The Sustainable City, Town Square, Mira and DAMAC Hills 2. It is expected to benefit more than 400,000 residents and visitors through increased road capacity and better connectivity.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
