Dubai’s AED 696 Million Trade Centre Roundabout Development to Ease Traffic Flow

To support Dubai’s growth and enhance transportation infrastructure, Dubai has launched the AED 696 million Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project. This initiative aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to improve Dubai’s road network and public transport. Under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is advancing this project to reduce congestion and support urban expansion.

Key Project Overview and Benefits

The Trade Centre Roundabout, one of Dubai’s most important intersections, connects Sheikh Zayed Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street, and Al Mustaqbal Street. Serving as a main artery for Dubai’s traffic flow, this roundabout is vital for connecting key business hubs, residential areas, and tourist spots across the city. The new development will help ease traffic and enable smoother transportation for residents, businesses, and tourists alike.

The AED 696 million project will transform the roundabout into a surface intersection and involve constructing five new bridges with a total span of 5,000 meters. These upgrades aim to support Dubai’s growing population and increase efficiency on major city roads, making commuting faster and safer.

Enhancing Traffic Flow Across Dubai

The roundabout’s transformation will enable free-flowing traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street, with smoother access from Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road. Traffic will move more efficiently from Jumeirah and Al Satwa via 2nd December Street to Al Majles Street, improving access to Al Mustaqbal Street, a major link to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It will also facilitate smooth travel from Sheikh Rashid Street to Deira and a new upper-level bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, enhancing connectivity for both residents and visitors.

Expanding Capacity and Reducing Delays

According to His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the RTA, the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is a crucial component of a larger infrastructure plan, which includes the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, set to begin later this year. These combined efforts aim to double the intersection’s capacity, significantly reduce traffic delays, and minimize travel times. Once completed, the intersection’s delay time will be cut from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds, while travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street will drop from six minutes to one minute.

Serving Key Destinations and Communities

This development will benefit some of Dubai’s most frequented locations, including the DWTC, which has been a center for international exhibitions like GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health, and Gulfood for over 40 years. With enhanced road access, DWTC will continue to play a pivotal role in Dubai’s event landscape. Additionally, the DIFC—a financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia—will enjoy improved connectivity for its business community. Other neighborhoods set to benefit from this development include Zabeel, Al Satwa, Karama, Jafiliya, and Mankhool, serving over 500,000 residents and visitors.

Five Bridges for Seamless Traffic Flow

As part of the project, five bridges will be constructed to ensure smooth traffic movement in various directions:

• Bridge 1: A two-lane bridge will extend 1,000 meters from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, accommodating 3,000 vehicles per hour.
• Bridges 2 and 3: Two two-lane bridges, each 2,000 meters long, will connect Sheikh Rashid Street with 2nd December Street, handling 6,000 vehicles per hour.
• Bridges 4 and 5: Another two two-lane bridges, each 2,000 meters long, will connect Al Majles Street with 2nd December Street, linking Al Mustaqbal Street with 2nd December Street to accommodate 6,000 vehicles per hour.

These bridges are designed to alleviate bottlenecks at the roundabout and streamline traffic across key roads, supporting Dubai’s growth as a well-connected city.

Concurrent Infrastructure Projects

The Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is one of several infrastructure initiatives underway in Dubai. The RTA recently awarded a contract for the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which includes upgrading four major intersections and constructing bridges spanning 4,300 meters and roads totaling 14 kilometers. This project aims to reduce travel time from 20 minutes to five and improve traffic flow by 75%, serving over 420,000 projected residents by 2030.

Simultaneously, the Al Khail Road Development Project, which includes 3,300 meters of new bridges and 6,820 meters of lane expansions, is set to reduce travel time by 30% and increase the capacity of major intersections. These upgrades will accommodate an additional 19,600 vehicles per hour, enhancing the road network and supporting Dubai’s long-term infrastructure goals.

Conclusion

Dubai’s AED 696 million investment in the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is a transformative step towards alleviating traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity across the city. This initiative is not only a response to Dubai’s rapid urbanization and population growth but also a forward-thinking move to ensure smoother, faster commutes for residents and tourists. With five new bridges, expanded capacity, and reduced delays, Dubai’s infrastructure improvements align with its vision to be a world-class, accessible metropolis.