As residents return to their regular routines on Wednesday, December 4, after the long UAE National Day holiday, traffic is expected to peak across major roads and streets, with schools reopening following the festive break.
However, new road improvements and initiatives by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are set to ease congestion and reduce travel times for commuters.
During the National Day holiday, the usually busy roads were eerily quiet, offering a rare respite from the typical hustle and bustle. But with everyone returning to work and school, roadways are likely to see traffic jams, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.
To manage the growing traffic demands, the RTA has been busy implementing several infrastructure upgrades throughout the year, many of which have been completed in the past few months. These projects aim to alleviate congestion, reduce travel times, and improve the overall commuting experience across Dubai.
Beirut Street Upgrades One significant development is the addition of a new lane along Beirut Street, specifically between the intersection with Al Nahda Street and Amman Street. The three-kilometer stretch will now allow for smoother traffic flow in the northbound direction, especially during the evening rush hours. This improvement is expected to reduce travel time by over 30%, from 18 minutes to just 12 minutes, benefiting residents in areas such as Muhaisnah, Al Qusais, and Al Twar.
Enhanced Connectivity Between SZR and E311 The completion of the Al Jamayel Street Development Project (formerly known as Garn Al Sabkha) has dramatically improved traffic flow between Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) and E311. Four new bridges have been added, reducing travel times by up to 40%. For instance, the peak travel time from Al Jamayel Street to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road has been slashed from 20 minutes to just 12 minutes. Meanwhile, travel from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Jebel Ali Port has seen an even greater reduction of 70%, with the journey now taking only seven minutes.
Wider Roads and New Bridges on Al Khail Road Dubai's Al Khail Road has also benefited from the addition of five new bridges and wider roads, designed to improve connectivity and reduce congestion. Key bridges, such as the Zaa'beel Palace Street Bridge and the Meydan Bridge, are expected to streamline traffic flow and cut travel times significantly, especially for commuters heading towards Jebel Ali or Deira.
Improved Access Points New access points have also been introduced around key areas, including the expansion of deceleration and acceleration lanes on Umm Hurair Street and the addition of an extra lane on a service road leading to Oud Metha. These measures will increase road capacity by 50% and help reduce journey times by up to 40%.
Al Mawakeb School Road Improvements In response to parent and school traffic concerns, the RTA has also implemented road improvements around Al Mawakeb School. These upgrades will cut travel time for parents dropping off or picking up students by more than 60%, reducing the journey from 15 minutes to just five minutes.
As Dubai's road network continues to evolve, these improvements are expected to bring significant relief to residents and visitors alike, making daily commutes faster and more efficient. With the holiday rush behind us, the RTA's ongoing efforts to ease congestion will play a pivotal role in keeping traffic moving smoothly throughout the city.
News Source: Khaleej Times
