Dubai has inaugurated a new 500-metre, two-lane bridge designed to reduce travel time for motorists exiting the Dubai World Trade Centre and One Central. The bridge, which opened on Friday, cuts journey times from 10 minutes to just two minutes during major events, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

This bridge is part of the Dh633-million Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, a significant road upgrade aimed at increasing the capacity of Al Mustaqbal Street by 33 percent. Upon completion, the street will accommodate 8,800 vehicles per hour in both directions, up from the current 6,600, and reduce travel time along the corridor from 13 minutes to six minutes.

Traffic Improvements and Project Scope

The new bridge provides a direct connection for drivers leaving Dubai World Trade Centre and One Central, linking them to the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Za’abeel Palace Street. The Al Mustaqbal Street project covers a 3.5-kilometre stretch from Financial Centre Street to Za’abeel Palace Street, widening the road from three to four lanes in each direction. It also includes the construction of approximately 2 kilometres of bridges and tunnels.

Additional enhancements include free-flow connections at the intersections of Al Mustaqbal Street with Exhibition Street and Trade Centre Street. The RTA anticipates that the project will benefit around 500,000 residents and visitors, improving access to key areas such as Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Za’abeel, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay.

Upcoming Tunnel and Bridge Developments

Further improvements are underway, including the construction of three tunnels totaling 1,500 metres at the Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street intersection, scheduled to open in February 2027. The largest tunnel will have three lanes and a capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour heading towards Deira. A two-lane tunnel will facilitate left turns from Al Mustaqbal Street to Trade Centre Street, serving traffic towards Deira and Jebel Ali with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour. A third single-lane tunnel will serve One Central, accommodating up to 1,500 vehicles per hour.

The project also features a new pedestrian bridge on Al Sukook Street, upgraded pedestrian walkways, a cycling track, and improvements to existing intersections.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, reported that the Al Mustaqbal Street project is over 50 percent complete and progressing ahead of schedule. Concurrently, the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project has surpassed 85 percent completion.

RTA plans to open another bridge by the end of August to facilitate traffic from Sheikh Rashid Road to 2nd December Street, with a final bridge opening in October to serve motorists traveling from Al Majlis Street to 2nd December Street. This roundabout project will ultimately feature five bridges totaling 5 kilometres and transform the existing roundabout into an at-grade intersection.

Additionally, the Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project is expected to be fully operational by the end of August. It includes four major intersections, 4.3 kilometres of bridges, and 14 kilometres of roads, aiming to reduce travel time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes and serve a population projected to exceed 420,000 by 2030.