The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has unveiled a groundbreaking project that promises to drastically reduce travel times on key routes connected to Oud Metha Street. The initiative, which involves a Dh600-million contract, aims to cut travel time from 20 minutes to just 5 minutes. This project will link Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Nawras Street, providing an efficient exit to both Oud Metha and Al Nawras Streets.
The development includes the construction of four major intersections, 4,300 meters of bridges, and 14 kilometers of roads. These enhancements will significantly benefit areas such as Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha, Umm Hurair, Latifa Hospital, and Al Wasl Club. By 2030, the project is expected to serve a population of over 420,000, boosting the capacity of Oud Metha Street from 10,400 vehicles per hour to 15,600 vehicles per hour, a 50% increase.
The project is part of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project. The first intersection will be at the junction of Oud Metha Street and Sheikh Rashid Street, featuring a new left-turn lane. Improvements to the service road on Sheikh Rashid Street and an increase in right-turn lanes will enhance capacity to 4,000 vehicles per hour. The second intersection at Oud Metha Street with Al Asayel and Al Nawras Streets will include two bridges, with capacities of 2,400 and 3,600 vehicles per hour respectively. A separate two-lane bridge will facilitate left-turn traffic from Al Asayel to Oud Metha Street.
The third intersection at Al Nawras Street and Al Khail Road will feature a two-lane bridge with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour. Upgrades to Al Nawras Street and the construction of service roads with parking spaces are also planned. The fourth intersection at Zabeel Palace Street with Al Khail and Oud Metha Street will include a left-turn ramp and a single-lane tunnel, addressing current traffic overlaps. The existing bridge serving traffic from Al Khail Road to Oud Metha Street will be expanded from two to three lanes, increasing capacity to 3,300 vehicles per hour.
As part of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project, the RTA has already upgraded Ras Al Khor Road, increasing its capacity to 10,000 vehicles per hour and reducing travel time from 20 minutes to 7 minutes. This project serves major development areas including the Lagoons, Dubai Creek, Meydan Horizon, Ras Al Khor, Al Wasl, and Nad Al Hamar.
