Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has been continuously improving the emirate’s infrastructure to cope with its expanding population and rapid urbanisation. In line with its ambitious plans, the RTA recently granted a contract for constructing the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project.
The project is a crucial part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing transportation networks across Dubai.
Stretching from the ramp of Infinity Bridge in Deira to the junction of Al Khaleej and Cairo Streets, this modern tunnel will cover 1,650 metres and feature six lanes.
Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, stressed the importance of the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel within the broader context of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. “This corridor, spanning 13 kilometres along key arterial routes, serves as a vital link for numerous residential and developmental communities, including Dubai Islands, Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Mina Rashid,” said Al Tayer.
The tunnel project, part of phase 4 of the initiative, entails constructing a tunnel with three lanes in each direction, facilitating smooth traffic flow from the Infinity Bridge towards Deira and vice versa.
Additionally, the project involves converting the intersection of Cairo and Al Wuheida Streets into a signalised intersection, along with improvements to Cairo Street and the integration of the bridge ramp from Dubai Islands into the new tunnel on Al Khaleej Street northward.
This phase will cater to residents of Abu Hail, Al Wuheida, and Al Mamzar and support ongoing development projects in the area.
Other Infrastructure development
Alongside the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, the RTA is actively advancing on other critical infrastructure enhancements.
A 4.8-kilometre improvement project on Sheikh Rashid Street, featuring the construction of three bridges totalling 3.1 kilometres in length, is currently in progress.
These bridges, along with roadway improvements along key thoroughfares, will significantly boost traffic capacity and connectivity within the city.
Recent achievements within the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project include completing several intersections, such as the Wafi Intersection and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street intersection.
These milestones have played a key role in streamlining traffic flow and improving access to important destination.
In early 2023, the RTA completed the Infinity Bridge, spanning around 295 metres and featuring six lanes in each direction, along with a combined three-metre-wide track for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Falcon Intersection, comprising two major bridges on Al Khaleej Street, marks a significant advancement in optimising traffic management and enhancing overall mobility in the city. It includes a single-lane bridge extending 250 metres for the right turn from Khalid bin Al Waleed Road to Al Khaleej Street, with a capacity of 1,600 vehicles per hour.
Ongoing efforts include constructing a two-lane 500-metre tunnel for left turns from Khaled bin Al Waleed Street to Al Mina Street capable of handling 3,200 vehicles per hour, along with a surface signalised intersection linking Al Khaleej Street with Al Ghubaiba and Khaled bin Al Waleed Roads, according to Gulf Business.