Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has inaugurated a new three-lane bridge spanning 1,210 meters, marking another milestone in the emirate’s ambitious infrastructure development. The bridge, which connects the Infinity Bridge through Al Mina Street to the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, is designed to handle 4,800 vehicles/hour.
The newly opened bridge is a crucial component of Phase 4 of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which covers 4.8 kilometers along Sheikh Rashid Road. This strategic infrastructure enhancement aims to improve connectivity to vital residential and commercial districts, including —
- Al Hudaiba
- Al Raffa
- Al Jafiliya
- Al Mankhool
- Al Kifaf
- Al Karama
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, highlighted that the project aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is being closely monitored by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The broader Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to infrastructure excellence, with the construction of —
- 41.6 km of roads
- 29.3 km of bridges
- 7.4 km of tunnels
- 22 at-grade junctions
The project is expected to generate economic benefits worth AED 45 billion over the next two decades through enhanced traffic flow and lowered travel times.
The newly opened three-lane bridge in Dubai significantly enhances traffic flow in several key ways, such as:
- Increased Capacity
The bridge is designed to accommodate 4,800 vehicles per hour, directly alleviating surrounding road congestion. Additional lanes allow smoother and more efficient vehicle movement, reducing bottlenecks that often occur during peak traffic times.
- Improved Connectivity
This bridge connects the Infinity Bridge to major thoroughfares like Sheikh Rashid Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. By linking these critical routes, the bridge facilitates better access to various residential and commercial areas, allowing for more direct travel paths. This improved connectivity helps distribute traffic more evenly across the network, minimizing delays.
- Reduced Intersections
Bridges like this one often eliminate or reduce at-grade intersections, which are common points of congestion. By enabling vehicles to travel over or under these intersections, the bridge reduces the need for stops and starts, leading to a more continuous traffic flow.
- Enhanced Traffic Management
The bridge’s design incorporates modern traffic management systems that can adapt to changing conditions. This includes the potential for real-time monitoring and adjustments to traffic signals and flow patterns, which can further optimize vehicle movement across the bridge and surrounding areas.
- Long-Term Economic Benefits
The bridge is expected to improve traffic flow and contribute to Dubai’s long-term economic benefits. Efficient transportation networks are crucial for supporting business activities and attracting investments, which can lead to increased economic activity and growth in the region.
Dubai’s infrastructure investments have already yielded impressive results. The city ranks among the world’s least congested, with CBD journey times averaging just 12 minutes for a 10 km distance, outperforming major global cities like Los Angeles and Berlin. Public transport ridership has grown remarkably, increasing from 163 million (2006) to 621.4 million (2022).
With 90% of Phase 4 complete, the remaining two bridges are scheduled to open in Q2 of 2025. This latest infrastructure addition reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in urban development and smart city initiatives, ensuring efficient mobility for its growing population while supporting sustainable urban expansion.