Dubai Infrastructure: Transforming Al Mustaqbal Street

Al Mustaqbal Street Development: New Tunnels, Bridges, Faster Travel in Dubai's Heart

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), responsible for transportation in Dubai, has announced another major infrastructure investment: the Al Mustaqbal Street development project, with a total cost of 633 million dirhams. The goal is clear: to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and more effectively connect the city's key economic and residential areas.

Road Construction and Capacity Expansion

The project includes the construction of 1,700 meters of new tunnels and bridges, as well as the widening of Al Mustaqbal Street: it will feature four lanes in both directions instead of the current three. Consequently, the road section's capacity could increase from 6,600 vehicles/hour to 8,800 vehicles/hour - a 33% increase. Travel time will also be significantly reduced: from the current 13 minutes to an expected 6 minutes.

Serving Key Zones

The development affects the section between Za'abeel Palace Street and Financial Centre Street, which connects strategically important areas including Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay. The investment is estimated to improve daily commuting for half a million residents and visitors.

New Tunnels and Bridges

One of the main elements of the project is the construction of three new tunnels at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street:

A three-lane tunnel towards Deira with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles/hour

A two-lane, left-turning tunnel for bidirectional traffic between Deira and Jebel Ali, with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles/hour

A single-lane tunnel exclusively serving the One Central development, with a capacity of 1,500 vehicles/hour

Additionally, a 450-meter long, two-lane bridge will be built to direct Dubai World Trade Centre traffic towards the Za'abeel Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street junction.

Pedestrians and Intersections

The project is not just focused on motorists: a pedestrian bridge will also be constructed over Al Sukook Street, and several existing intersections will be upgraded. Additionally, new free-flowing exits will facilitate traffic at the intersections of Al Mustaqbal Street and Exhibition Street, as well as Trade Centre Street.

Transforming the Main Roundabout

The Al Mustaqbal Street development is part of an extensive master plan that includes transforming the Trade Centre roundabout, one of Dubai's busiest intersections. Here, five bridges with a total length of 5,000 meters will be built, and the existing roundabout will be transformed into a surface-level intersection. The aim is to smoothly direct traffic between Sheikh Zayed Road and surrounding major roads, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and 2nd December Street.

Other Parallel Developments

The investment aligns with another major project initiated in the last quarter of 2024, targeting the development of Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets. This includes upgrading four key intersections, building 4,300 meters of bridges, and renovating 14 km of road sections. The number of residents in the area is expected to exceed 420,000 by 2030, and the project is anticipated to reduce travel time by 50%.

Meanwhile, the development of Al Khail Road has also yielded significant results: 3,300 meters of new bridges, 6,820 meters of road widening, and a 30% reduction in travel time characterize the program.

Conclusion

Dubai's transportation development strategy is predictable, well-organized, and aligned with the dynamic growth of the city in the long term. The transformation of Al Mustaqbal Street, along with new tunnels and bridges, and related transportation investments, aim to continue offering world-class livability and efficient infrastructure to its residents and visitors. Optimizing the transportation system not only alleviates congestion but also supports economic growth and improves quality of life.

(Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) statement.)