Dubai’s Hessa Street project to double traffic capacity on busy route

In a bid to ease traffic for commuters, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the Hessa Street Improvement Project, valued at AED689 million.

The Hessa Street Improvement Project will include a 4.5-kilometre section from the intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road tthe intersection with Al Khail Road.

The number of lanes on Hessa Street will double from two to four in each direction and boost Hessa Street’s capacity by 100 percent to accommodate 8,000 vehicles per hour.

In addition, the revamping of four main intersections along Hessa Street; Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road is planned.

The move is in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Previously, the RTA had unveiled plans to enhance essential roadways, including Hessa Street and Umm Suqeim Street.

As per the details, in the first phase, the intersection of Hessa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road will have a two-lane directional ramp passing over the route of the Dubai Metro Red Line. This will serve traffic heading right from Sheikh Zayed Road to Hessa Street Eastwards towards the Emirates Road.

The second phase will see the upgrading of the intersection of Hessa Street with First Al Khail Street by increasing the number of lanes on the existing bridge of Hessa Street from three to four.

The third covers the intersection of Hessa Street and Al Asayel Street by increasing the number of lanes from two to four in each direction.

The fourth is the intersection of Hessa Street with Al Khail Road and includes constructing a two-lane directional ramp to serve northbound traffic in the direction of Sharjah.

There’s also a piece of good news for the cyclists, as a cycle track is also being built which will be 13.5 kilometers long. This track will include 2.5 meters for bicycles and e-scooters and 2 meters for pedestrians.

The track will connect Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street, serving residential areas such as Al Sufouh, Al Barsha, and Barsha Heights.