Reducing Travel Time In Dubai From 104 to 16 Minutes: Dubai’s AED 5.035 Billion Road Infrastructure Project Enters Next Phase

Dubai’s $1.4 billion road infrastructure project has just entered its next phase. The Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project which will reportedly cut down travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes has been successful so far with three phases successfully kickstarted. Now, the fourth phase of the project has been put into action with the RTA reporting on 13 March 2023, that the first contract of phase four has officially been awarded.

It was back in 2016 that the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project was first initiated. With an overall cost of AED 5.035 billion ($1.44 billion). It is one of the largest projects undertaken by Dubai’s RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) and includes the construction or revamping of 15 intersections and roads in a 13-kilometre radius.

The project included the construction of multi-lane roads, tunnels, bridges, and other necessary infrastructure that would be used by millions of people. The project is expected to be completed by 2025 and once complete, will shorten the travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes. This would result in massive time savings and over a span of 20 years, the time saved is said to be worth around AED 45 billion.

So far, the RTA has already completed the improvement of numerous intersections and junctions. This includes the construction of two bridges on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street with two lanes in each direction, the one-lane bridge from Zabeel Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road, a tunnel on Sheikh Rashid Road with four lanes in each direction, etc.

In addition, the RTA also completed the construction of and opened the Infinity bridge for public use in 2022. The Infinity bridge has now become one of the architectural marvels in the area with six lanes in each direction and a structural design inspired by the infinity concept. There are many more improvements to road infrastructure that have come about as a result of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project.

Needless to say, the project is massive and therefore had to be divided into five phases. Now, the fourth phase of the project has begun with the first contract for the same being handed out to the builders.

This contract is valued at AED 800 million ($218 million) and comprises the construction of three bridges having a total length of 3.1 kilometres. These bridges are said to have a capacity of 19,400 vehicles per hour. In addition, it includes the construction of 4.8 kilometres of streets and the improvement of the Jumeirah Street, Al Mina Road, and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabir Al bah Street surface intersections.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA said, “Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which spans 13 km along Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Road, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street, contributes to a smooth traffic flow along the Corridor. It will also enhance roads capacity and efficiency as well as traffic safety.”

The first bridge is between Sheikh Rashid Road and Falcon Intersection, the second is from Falcon Interchange to Al Wasl Road and the third is to serve traffic inbound from Jumeirah Street to Al Mina Road.