Dubai Al Wasl Road Upgrade: Faster Travel & More Capacity
- Dubai's roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a complete project to upgrade Al Wasl Road, addressing urban growth and improving the quality of life for residents and...
- The project spans 15 kilometers, stretching from the Umm suqeim Street intersection to the 2nd December Street junction.
- According to the RTA, the Al Wasl Road traffic plan is expected to halve travel times and increase road capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in...
Dubai is investing in a major Al Wasl road upgrade, promising important improvements for commuters. This ambitious project by teh RTA aims to slash travel times and reduce traffic congestion by 50%, enhancing the overall driving experience. The initiative includes new tunnels, lane expansions, and upgrades to key intersections. Spanning 15 kilometers, the enhancements from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street will dramatically increase road capacity, benefiting both residents and tourists. News Directory 3 covers the story, highlighting how this upgrade is part of a broader plan. Discover what’s next for Dubai’s transportation network.
Al Wasl Road Upgrade to Reduce Dubai Traffic by 50%
updated June 08, 2025
Dubai’s roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a complete project to upgrade Al Wasl Road, addressing urban growth and improving the quality of life for residents and tourists. The Al Wasl Road development aims to significantly reduce traffic congestion and enhance overall road capacity.
The project spans 15 kilometers, stretching from the Umm suqeim Street intersection to the 2nd December Street junction. Key components include upgrading six intersections, enhancing one junction, and constructing five tunnels totaling 3.85 kilometers. The road will also be widened from two to three lanes in each direction.
According to the RTA, the Al Wasl Road traffic plan is expected to halve travel times and increase road capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, said the project is part of a larger master plan to improve the road network in the area, including enhancements to Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets.
The RTA’s plan emphasizes creative and aesthetic elements, incorporating pedestrian walkways, cycling tracks, and public spaces to promote community interaction. Decorative landscaping and dynamic urban environments are also planned. The upgraded Al Wasl Road serves a vital district with numerous tourism, lifestyle, and residential destinations.
The six intersections slated for upgrades are at Al Thanya, Al Manara, Umm Al Sheif, Umm Amara, Al Orouba, and Al safa Streets. These upgrades will primarily involve constructing five tunnels with a combined length of 3.85 kilometers.
al Wasl Road Development Project forms part of a master plan developed by the RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, which also includes enhancements to Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets.
Specifically, the Al Thanya Street intersection will see improvements, while a unidirectional tunnel will be built at the Al Manara Street intersection. This tunnel will have three lanes, branching into two routes: two lanes from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street, and two lanes from Sheikh Zayed Road to Umm Suqeim Street, accommodating 4,500 vehicles per hour.
Additional tunnels include one on Umm Al Sheif Street (two lanes from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street, 750m long, 3,200 vehicles per hour) and another at the intersection of Al Wasl Road with Umm Amara Street (two lanes in each direction, 700m long, 6,400 vehicles per hour).
Further, a unidirectional tunnel will be constructed at the Al Orouba Street intersection towards Jumeirah Street (625m long, two lanes, 1,400 vehicles per hour), and a tunnel at the Al Safa street intersection (750 meters long, two lanes in each direction, 6,400 vehicles per hour).
The Al Satwa roundabout will be converted into a signalized junction, and surface-level enhancements will be implemented at five intersections along Jumeirah Street, including upgrades to the traffic signal control system.
What’s next
The Al Wasl Road project complements the RTA’s previously announced master plan, which includes upgrading Umm Suqeim Street. Once complete, the Umm Suqeim Street upgrade will increase its capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, improving traffic flow and reducing travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to 6 minutes.
As part of our master plan to upgrade #Dubai’s road network, #RTA has announced an integrated project to upgrade Al Wasl Street, covering Umm Suqeim and al Safa Streets. The development spans from the intersection with Umm Suqeim Street to the junction with 2nd December Street.… pic.twitter.com/ejiWawFFZi
— RTA (@rta_dubai) June 3, 2025