Dubai Traffic Relief: RTA’s Road Network Expansion to Cut Travel Time by 80%

The Dubai-based Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently unveiled a grand expansion for Dubai Traffic Relief of the road network in four key neighborhoods – Nadd Hessa, Al Awir 1, Al Barsha South, and Wadi Al Safa 3 – with the purpose of reducing travel time by as much as 80%.

The project will provide superior access to more than 400,000 residents living in those regions.

Key Features of the Project

1. Nadd Hessa and Environs:

• New entry and exit point connecting to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street
• Duallaning road, 2 lanes. Provides for 6,000 vph in the direction connecting areas: Nadd Hessa, Warsan 4, Hessa Gardens, and Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Upgrades include a signalized junction reducing travel time to just 37 sec when it had been 138 sec

2. Al Awir 1:

• New 7.5 km road connecting Al Awir 1 to Emirates Road. The capacity will be doubled from 1,500 to 3,000 vehicles per hour.
• A direct route will be available to 50,000 residents, enhancing overall mobility.

3. Al Barsha South

• One of the most significant improvements to the Hessa Street Development Project will benefit almost 75,000 residents.
• Third left-turn lane at strategic junctions, with a four-lane upgrade of Hessa Street along more than 1,114 meters of it.
• This capacity will increase from 6,000 to 9,000 vehicles per hour and the signal waiting time will decrease from four minutes to only one.

4. Wadi Al Safa 3:

• Direct access has improved by entering Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road of roads coming from Dubai–Al Ain Road.
• It consists of 4 km of internal roads that reduce the travelling distance by 10 km and travel time to ten minutes from two minutes.

Upgrades in Al Warqa

The RTA is also in the process of transforming Al Warqa for 350,000 residents:

New entry/exit will be directly aligned with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Internal road network expansion will be 8km longer. This has driven the capacity up to 5,000 cars per hour. From 20 minutes, it will decrease to 3.5 minutes; distances traveled now will decrease from 5.7km to 1.5km.

• Al Warqa 1 Street will benefit from an additional 30% capacity that these upgraded Roundabouts to signal-controlled intersections will provide. And 16 km more of cycling tracks that will connect Al Warqa with nearby cycling routes and enhance sustainable mobility.

Impact on Residents and Traffic Flow

These comprehensive roadworks are expected to enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion, and provide smoother access to and from major highways, ultimately benefiting residents and visitors across the expanded neighborhoods. The RTA’s initiative aligns with Dubai’s vision of a more efficient and sustainable transport infrastructure, significantly improving the quality of life for its growing population.