Dubai: New Al Khaleej Street Tunnel project to ease traffic, cut travel time

Image: RTA

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has been consistently working to enhance the emirate’s infrastructure to meet the demands of its growing population and rapid urbanisation.

Aligned with its ambitious plans, RTA recently awarded a contract for the construction of Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project.

The project is a pivotal component of Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at optimising transportation networks across Dubai.

Extending from the ramp of Infinity Bridge in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej and Cairo Streets, this state-of-the-art tunnel will span 1,650 metres and have six lanes. It is designed to accommodate up to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, emphasised the significance of Al Khaleej Street Tunnel within the broader context of Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. “This corridor, extending 13 kilometres along key arterial routes, serves as a lifeline for numerous residential and developmental communities, including Dubai Islands, Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Mina Rashid,” stated Al Tayer.

“By 2030, it is projected to significantly reduce travel times, from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes, benefiting approximately one million residents,” he added.

Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project: What it entails

The tunnel project, part of phase 4 of the initiative, involves the construction of a tunnel with three lanes in each direction, facilitating seamless traffic flow from the Infinity Bridge towards Deira and vice versa.

Furthermore, the project involves the transformation of the Cairo and Al Wuheida Streets intersection into a signalised intersection, along with enhancements 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 serve residents of Abu Hail, Al Wuheida and Al Mamzar and support ongoing development projects in the area.

#RTA has awarded a contract for constructing Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project. Extending from the end of the ramp of Infinity Bridge in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej and Cairo Streets, the tunnel has six lanes stretching 1,650 metres capable of accommodating up to… pic.twitter.com/nuZ6vJd72r

— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 14, 2024

Other infrastructure upgrades

In addition to the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, the RTA is actively progressing on other crucial infrastructure upgrades.

A 4.8-kilometre improvement project on Sheikh Rashid Street, featuring the construction of three bridges totalling 3.1 kilometres in length, is currently underway.

These bridges, coupled with roadway enhancements along key thoroughfares, will significantly enhance traffic capacity and connectivity within the city.

Recent accomplishments within the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project include the completion of several intersections, such as the Wafi Intersection and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street intersection.

These milestones have been instrumental in streamlining traffic flow and enhancing accessibility to key destinations.

Infinity Bridge and the Falcon Intersection

Moreover, structures such as the Infinity Bridge and the Falcon Intersection have been completed, further bolstering Dubai’s reputation for innovative urban design.

In early 2023, RTA completed the Infinity Bridge, which extends around 295 metres and comprises six lanes in each direction in addition to a combined three-metre-wide track for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Falcon Intersection, featuring two major bridges on Al Khaleej Street, represents a significant step forward in optimising traffic management and improving 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 work includes 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 in addition to a surface signalised intersection linking Al Khaleej Street with Al Ghubaiba and Khaled bin Al Waleed Roads.