Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major redevelopment of Al Wasl Road, aiming to drastically reduce travel time from 9.4 minutes to just 2.8 minutes. This is part of a larger 15-kilometre corridor upgrade that stretches from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street.

What’s Changing on Al Wasl Road

The project includes widening Al Wasl Road from two to three lanes in each direction, upgrading six major intersections, and constructing five traffic tunnels totaling 3,850 metres. These improvements are set to boost the road’s capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

In addition to traffic improvements, the plan introduces pedestrian walkways, cycling tracks, landscaped boulevards, and vibrant public spaces—designed to enhance community life and urban aesthetics.

Tunnels and Intersections to Know About

Here are the key changes coming to Al Wasl Road:

• A three-lane unidirectional tunnel at Al Manara Street (capacity: 4,500 vehicles/hour)

• A two-lane tunnel at Umm Al Sheif Street, 750 metres long (3,200 vehicles/hour)

• A dual-direction tunnel at Umm Amara Street, 700 metres long (6,400 vehicles/hour)

• A 625-metre tunnel at Al Orouba Street heading to Jumeirah Street (1,400 vehicles/hour)

• A two-lane-per-direction tunnel at Al Safa Street, 750 metres long (6,400 vehicles/hour)

Upgrades at Al Satwa and Jumeirah

The Al Satwa roundabout will be replaced by a signalised intersection to improve traffic flow. In addition, surface-level enhancements will be made at five intersections along Jumeirah Street to upgrade the traffic signal system.

Umm Suqeim Street Also Getting a Makeover

The wider project includes a transformation of Umm Suqeim Street, stretching from Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road. Once complete, travel time on this stretch will drop from 20 minutes to just 6 minutes. Road capacity here will increase from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour.

This part of the project features:

• Six major intersection upgrades

• Four new bridges and three tunnels totaling 4,100 metres

• A tunnel at Jumeirah Street and another at Al Wasl Road to ease movement between key areas

• Two new bridges at Sheikh Zayed Road to eliminate weaving traffic

• A new tunnel at First Al Khail Road to streamline movement from Al Barsha to Sheikh Zayed Road

• An extra lane in both directions between First Al Khail and Al Asayel Streets

• Two elevated ramps connecting Al Quoz Industrial Area and Deira

Smart, Smooth, and Sustainable

This project is more than just a road expansion—it’s part of Dubai’s bigger vision for smarter, faster, and more people-friendly infrastructure. With reduced congestion, smoother traffic, and upgraded public spaces, residents and visitors alike are in for a much better commute.