Major Traffic Intersection Upgrade in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has embarked on an ambitious project to enhance the traffic flow at the intersection of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, Al Awir Road, and Al Manama Street. This initiative aims to alleviate congestion and support the ongoing urban development throughout the emirate.
Project Overview
The undertaking will construct 2.3 kilometers of new bridges and expand existing lanes and service roads along Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Al Awir Road. This comprehensive upgrade will introduce additional access points to serve the surrounding residential and commercial areas. Given the scale of the project, a significant boost in road capacity is anticipated, alongside a marked reduction in traffic congestion.
Capacity Enhancements
With these modifications, the traffic capacity at the intersection will rise dramatically—from accommodating 5,200 vehicles per hour in each direction to an impressive 14,400 vehicles per hour. This represents a staggering 176% increase in capacity. The time it takes to travel through this corridor is also expected to plummet from around 20 minutes to a mere five minutes, drastically improving the commute for residents and visitors alike. The completion is slated for the third quarter of 2028.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, emphasized that this project is crucial for managing the growing traffic volumes on Dubai’s roads. He noted that the development is aligned with the RTA’s strategic master plan, designed to enhance overall mobility and facilitate smoother traffic flow across the emirate.
Grade-Separated Intersection
One of the key features of this development is the conversion of the existing roundabout into a grade-separated intersection. This will allow for free-flowing traffic in all directions, mitigating the delays that often plague roundabouts. The construction plans involve building main bridges on Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, featuring four lanes in each direction. Turn ramps will also be created to accommodate right- and left-turn movements, each providing two lanes.
Moreover, the intersection of Al Awir Road with Emirates Road will see the addition of a bridge to facilitate traffic heading toward Al Awir and Sharjah. This approach is part of a broader strategy to develop parallel service roads along Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Al Awir Road, enhancing accessibility for adjacent development areas.
Al Manama Street Upgrades
Improvements will also be made to Al Manama Street, particularly where it intersects with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. This phase of the project includes widening Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street from two to four lanes in both directions, thereby amplifying its capacity and operational efficiency. Enhanced traffic signals will further contribute to better traffic management at this intersection, ensuring safe entry and exit for surrounding areas.
Continued Road Development Initiatives
The enhancements to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street are a crucial aspect of RTA’s wider road development initiatives, which began with extending the street into a four-lane thoroughfare that stretches 25 kilometers. This segment runs from Dubai–Al Ain Road to the roundabout at Al Yalayis Street. As part of this broader initiative, several adjacent intersections have also been upgraded.
A specific upgrade was made at the intersection of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Latifa bint Hamdan Street, where a grade-separated interchange has been established. Additional traffic management measures include a signalized roundabout at the junction with Al Qudra Street and a signalized surface intersection at Hessa Street.
Enhancements at Dubai Silicon Oasis
Furthermore, the project covers the stretch from Dubai–Al Ain Road to the Academic City roundabout, approximately three kilometers in length. Improvements here involve constructing two bridges at the Dubai Silicon Oasis intersection—each bridge spans 120 meters and is designed to handle four lanes in each direction. This upgrade will enable a capacity of 14,400 vehicles per hour in both directions.
A signalized surface intersection was also built beneath these new bridges, featuring a 20-lane layout that accommodates about 8,000 vehicles per hour. These enhancements are intended to improve traffic flow toward Dubai Silicon Oasis and Zayed University, as well as optimize traffic movement at the Academic City roundabout.
Through these efforts, the RTA is not only addressing current traffic issues but also planning strategically for Dubai’s future growth.
