RTA Opens Two New Bridges: Cutting Dubai Travel Times by 75%
The Dubai RTA officially opened 2 strategic bridges on Friday to improve traffic flow between Al Asayel and Oud Maitha Streets. These new structures represent a significant milestone in the broader Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development project.
Motorists can now enjoy a direct link between Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street. This infrastructure upgrade supports the city’s rapid urban expansion and the growing needs of its residents.
The RTA designed these improvements to resolve long-standing bottlenecks at several critical junctions.
Massive Boost in Traffic Capacity
The first of the 2 bridges carries traffic from Al Asayel Street toward Al Wasl Club Street with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour. It features 2 dedicated lanes that streamline traffic and reduce the need for complex surface-level maneuvers.
The second bridge handles approximately 3,000 vehicles per hour and directs commuters from Al Asayel Street toward the Business Bay Crossing. According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, these upgrades will increase total road capacity by 50%.
This expansion ensures that Oud Maitha Street can now accommodate 15,600 vehicles every hour in both directions.
| Traffic Metric | Before Project | After Completion |
| Oud Maitha Capacity | 10,400 vehicles/hr | 15,600 vehicles/hr |
| Average Journey Time | 20 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Time Savings | 0% | 75% Reduction |
| Project Completion | 0% | 72% Finished |
Neighborhoods Benefiting from the Project
The RTA confirmed that 72% of the overall project is now complete, including 70% of the planned tunnel works. These Bridges will serve several established residential communities and major landmarks that experience high daily footfall.
The initiative is part of a forward-looking strategy to support an area projected to house 420,000 residents by 2030. Improved road access also benefits service facilities, such as Latifa Hospital, and local sports venues, such as Al Wasl Club.
Drivers in these sectors will notice immediate relief during peak morning and evening commute hours.
- Za’abeel: Enhanced exits and entries for one of Dubai’s most central districts.
- Al Jaddaf: Faster connectivity to major arterial roads like Al Khail Road.
- Oud Maitha: Significant reduction in local intersection wait times for residents.
- Umm Hurair: Streamlined traffic flow toward key commercial and medical zones.
Conclusion
The opening of these new bridges demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure that keeps pace with population growth. By cutting travel times from 20 minutes down to just 5, the RTA is giving precious time back to thousands of daily commuters.
We look forward to the full completion of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor by the third quarter of 2026. What do you think about this development? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for the latest sharp insights, exclusive UAE updates, and global automotive trends that matter.