Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the full scope of works under the Hessa Street Development Project, marking the completion of a major upgrade on one of the city’s key road corridors between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
Road expansion works
The completed section covers a 4.5 km stretch and includes widening Hessa Street and upgrading bridges at major intersections with Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Asayel Street, First Al Khail Street, and Al Khail Road.
The road has been expanded to four lanes in each direction, completing the full development of Hessa Street and its intersection bridges.
According to RTA, the upgrade will ensure smoother traffic flow between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road in both directions and reduce travel time from 15 minutes to 4 minutes.
Traffic capacity boost
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the project supports Dubai’s ongoing infrastructure development to keep pace with population and urban growth.
He said Hessa Street is a key strategic corridor serving major residential and development areas including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle.
He added that the population in areas served by the road is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030.
Al Tayer said: “Hessa Street Development Project extends from its intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road to its intersection with Al Khail Road over a stretch of 4.5 km. The project includes upgrading 4 key intersections along Hessa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road, and expanding Hessa Street from 2 lanes to 4 lanes in each direction. This will increase the street’s capacity by 100%, raising it to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.”
Intersection upgrades
The project included upgrades across four main intersections: At Sheikh Zayed Road, a two-lane ramp was built above the Dubai Metro Red Line to support traffic heading towards eastbound Hessa Street.
At First Al Khail Street, the existing bridge was expanded from three to four lanes in each direction, along with improvements at the signal-controlled intersection. At Al Asayel Street, a new parallel bridge was constructed to expand capacity from two to four lanes in each direction, alongside intersection upgrades.
At Al Khail Road, new ramps and bridges were built to improve traffic flow towards both Sharjah and Deira directions.
Phase 2 works
RTA has also started Phase 2 of the Hessa Street Development Project, covering a 3 km stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
This phase includes the development of three major intersections, construction of 8,835 metres of bridges, and a 480-metre tunnel, along with upgrades to entry and exit points on surrounding roads.
Once completed, Phase 2 is expected to double road capacity from 4,000 to 8,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce travel time from 24 minutes to 5 minutes. The phase will serve 10 residential and development areas, including Jumeirah Village Circle, Arjan, Dubai Science Park, Al Barsha South, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Jumeirah Islands, Barsha Heights, The Greens, and Emirates Hills, with an estimated benefit to around 650,000 residents.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
