RTA Launches Al Wasl Road Upgrade with 5 Tunnels, 6 Intersections

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major development project to upgrade Al Wasl Road, as part of a bigger master plan that also includes improvements to Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets. This initiative is aimed at making travel smoother, faster, and safer for both residents and visitors, while also preparing for future growth in the city.

The Al Wasl Road project covers a stretch of 15 kilometres, starting from its intersection with Umm Suqeim Street and continuing up to the junction with 2nd December Street. As part of the plan, the road will be widened from two to three lanes in each direction. Six key intersections along the route will be upgraded, and five new tunnels will be built, covering a total length of 3,850 metres. These changes are expected to reduce travel time by 50% and boost the road’s capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

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His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, explained that this project is a part of a wider strategy to enhance Dubai’s road network. It also aims to make the roads more attractive and user-friendly by adding features like safe walkways, cycling tracks, public spaces, and beautiful landscaping. The development will serve a busy and popular area that is home to over one million people and includes some of Dubai’s top beaches, luxury hotels, fine restaurants, and stylish residential communities.

Among the six intersections being upgraded are Al Thanya, Al Manara, Umm Al Sheif, Umm Amara, Al Orouba, and Al Safa Streets. At Al Manara, a one-way tunnel will be built with three lanes, splitting into two routes—one leading to Jumeirah Street and another to Umm Suqeim Street. This tunnel will handle around 4,500 vehicles per hour. At Umm Al Sheif, a 750-metre tunnel with two lanes will be created for traffic heading towards Jumeirah Street from Sheikh Zayed Road, allowing up to 3,200 vehicles per hour. Another tunnel at Umm Amara Street will have two lanes in each direction, span 700 metres, and carry up to 6,400 vehicles per hour.

The intersection with Al Orouba Street will get a 625-metre tunnel heading toward Jumeirah Street, with two lanes that can accommodate 1,400 vehicles per hour. At Al Safa Street, a 750-metre tunnel with two lanes in each direction will also handle about 6,400 vehicles per hour. Additionally, the Al Satwa roundabout will be changed into a signal-controlled junction. Upgrades will also be made to five intersections on Jumeirah Street, including improvements to traffic signals.

This project supports another major development plan already announced by the RTA, which involves upgrading Umm Suqeim Street. That plan runs from Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road and is expected to increase road capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour. It will also reduce travel time on that stretch from 20 minutes to just 6 minutes. The area being improved is densely populated, with over two million people living in nearby neighborhoods.

Along Umm Suqeim Street, six intersections will be improved at Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Road, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. New construction will include four bridges and three tunnels stretching 4,100 metres. For example, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction will be built at the Jumeirah Street intersection. Another tunnel at Al Wasl Road will serve traffic going from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street. Two bridges will be created at the Sheikh Zayed Road intersection to improve traffic flow. At First Al Khail Road, a tunnel will be built to ease travel from Al Barsha to Sheikh Zayed Road. Surface-level improvements will also be made.

Umm Suqeim Street will get an additional lane between First Al Khail Road and Al Asayel Street, making four lanes in each direction. Two elevated ramps will be added at the Al Khail Road intersection—one will connect to Al Quoz Industrial Area, while the other will direct traffic from Umm Suqeim Street towards Deira.

RTA is also working on upgrading Umm Suqeim Street from Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, including the stretch that passes Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. An 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction will be built at the Al Barsha South intersection, along with a surface-level junction.

Work is also underway on Al Qudra Road, starting from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, passing Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and continuing to Emirates Road. This includes upgrades to several intersections, the construction of bridges totalling 2,700 metres, and the widening of 11.6 km of road. Once completed, the upgrades will significantly reduce travel time from 9.4 minutes to just 2.8 minutes.

This series of projects shows Dubai’s strong commitment to improving its infrastructure, making daily travel easier, faster, and safer, and enhancing the overall quality of life for everyone in the city