Significant Progress on Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Development
Overview of the Project
The Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Development Project is a crucial component of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development initiative, now over 60% complete. This large-scale project aims to enhance the roadway infrastructure of Dubai, aligning with the city’s rapid urbanization and population growth projections.
Key Features and Benefits
One of the standout aspects of this project is the development of four major intersections, supported by bridges stretching 4.3 kilometers and overall road expansions totaling 14 kilometers. This infrastructure improvement is designed to dramatically increase the capacity of Oud Maitha Road, which will rise from 10,400 vehicles per hour to an impressive 15,600 vehicles per hour, marking an almost 50% increase. Notably, journey times are set to drop significantly—from 20 minutes to just five minutes—representing a 75% reduction.
Upon its anticipated completion in 2030, the project is expected to serve over 420,000 residents, connecting Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street. Furthermore, it will provide a dedicated exit to both Oud Maitha Road and Al Wasl Club Street, enhancing travel convenience.
Construction Milestones
According to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the contractor has successfully finished 70% of the bridges facilitating traffic flows from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road in the northbound direction towards Business Bay Crossing. Ongoing preparations are being made for an expected opening in the first quarter of this year.
Additionally, about 60% of the construction on a tunnel serving traffic from Dubai–Al Ain Road toward Al Wasl Club Street has been completed. Work continues on remaining road widenings and associated bridge structures, with plans for their opening outlined for the third quarter of this year.
Leadership Insights
Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, emphasized that this development aligns with leadership directives to enhance the Sheikh Rashid Corridor, aiming to accommodate Dubai’s ongoing urban expansion and increasing population. The project is seen as critical in bolstering road infrastructure and supporting key service, residential, and developmental areas, notably Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Maitha, Umm Hurair, and Latifa Hospital.
Upgrades to Major Intersections
Oud Maitha Road–Sheikh Rashid Road Intersection
The first significant upgrade involves the intersection of Oud Maitha Road and Sheikh Rashid Road. Enhancements here will introduce a left-turn slip ramp dedicated to vehicles from Oud Maitha Road, facilitating increased traffic flow toward Al Garhoud Bridge and increasing capacity to 1,800 vehicles per hour. Improvements also extend to upgrading the service road on Sheikh Rashid Road between the existing bridge and the Al Zahrawi Street exit, thus addressing overlap issues and enhancing overall road safety.
Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Intersection
Another critical upgrade involves the intersection of Oud Maitha Road with Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street. This component includes two new bridges connecting Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street. The first bridge will have a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour with two lanes for traffic moving toward Al Wasl Club Street. The second bridge is designed for three lanes, able to accommodate 3,600 vehicles per hour for movements from Al Khail Road to Al Asayel Road.
Additionally, a separate two-lane bridge, also with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour, will be constructed to serve left-turn traffic from Al Asayel Street toward Oud Maitha Road.
Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road Intersection
The third intersection enhancement focuses on the link between Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road, featuring a two-lane bridge for vehicles moving from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road towards Business Bay Crossing. Upgrades will also increase exit capacity to two lanes, further improving traffic efficiency.
Lastly, at the intersection of Zabeel Palace Street with Al Khail and Oud Maitha Roads, a new left-turn slip lane will be added, doubling capacity from 900 vehicles per hour to 1,800 vehicles, thereby smoothing traffic flows in the area.
This extensive upgrade project promises significant enhancements to Dubai’s road network, reflecting the city’s commitment to improving urban infrastructure and quality of life for its residents.
