Two of Five Bridges in Trade Centre Roundabout Project Open Early
Significant Upgrade to Traffic Flow in Dubai
The Roads and Transport Authority has announced the early opening of two major bridges as part of the ongoing Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project. These bridges facilitate traffic movement from 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street, which further extends to Al Mustaqbal Street. By implementing these new structures, travel times in the area will significantly decrease from ten minutes to merely two minutes, effectively easing congestion at the busy Trade Centre Roundabout.
Project Overview and Cost
The overall scope of this project has a financial outlay exceeding AED 696 million (USD 189.5 million). It includes the construction of five bridges and the transformation of the existing roundabout into an at-grade intersection. The project is anticipated to benefit over half a million residents and visitors traversing this pivotal area.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to reduce the average delay at this intersection from approximately 12 minutes to just 90 seconds. Additionally, it will streamline journey times for vehicles traveling from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, cutting this duration from six minutes down to only one minute.
Specifications of the New Bridges
The newly opened bridges consist of two lanes in both directions and span a combined length of 2,000 meters. They are engineered to accommodate around 6,000 vehicles per hour, significantly enhancing the capacity of the intersection. The construction features ensure free-flowing traffic for vehicles moving from 2nd December Street towards key roads in Dubai.
Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General and Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, remarked, “Trade Centre Roundabout is one of the major intersections in Dubai, linking Sheikh Zayed Road with five vital streets…” His comments underscore the strategic importance of this infrastructure to both local and international traffic.
Timelines and Future Developments
The two recently opened bridges are just the starting point. There are plans for additional infrastructure to be completed, with a phased opening set to occur throughout 2026. Specifically, a bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street is slated to open in March, while two additional bridges facilitating traffic from Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street are expected to be operational by October 2026.
“These upgrades will allow for seamless traffic flow in multiple directions,” Al Tayer stated, highlighting the benefits of the newly planned routes.
Comprehensive Connectivity Features
The project encompasses a second-level bridge extending from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street that is poised to handle about 3,000 vehicles per hour. Moreover, the additional bridges linking Sheikh Rashid Road to 2nd December Street and Al Majlis Street to 2nd December Street will further streamline traffic patterns across a busy part of the city.
This extensive initiative not only aims at traffic efficiency but also directly serves significant hubs, including the Dubai World Trade Centre, a key venue for international events. It has been an essential location for more than 40 years, hosting global exhibitions such as GITEX and the Arabian Travel Market.
Community Impact
The developmental efforts are designed to enhance connectivity for numerous neighborhoods, notably Zabeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya, and Al Mankhool. By linking these communities more effectively to the larger road network, the initiative seeks to improve access and collaboration among various commercial and residential areas.
Al Tayer concluded that work on the project has made significant strides, moving ahead of schedule. “Project completion has reached nearly 50 per cent,” he noted, emphasizing the commitment to facilitating residents’ mobility through well-planned infrastructure upgrades.
Conclusion
With the opening of these two bridges, Dubai continues its mission to elevate urban mobility and enhance living conditions for its residents. The future phases promise to further alleviate traffic congestion and improve overall travel efficiency in one of the city’s busiest intersections.
Published on 1766384251 • Category: UAE,bridges
