Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a sweeping infrastructure project aimed at transforming Al Wasl Road and its connecting corridors, with the goal of slashing travel times, boosting road capacity, and keeping pace with the city’s urban growth.
Spanning 15 kilometers from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street, the Al Wasl Road Development Project will see the road expanded to three lanes in each direction. It also includes the upgrade of six key intersections and the construction of five tunnels totaling nearly 4 kilometers. Once complete, travel time along Al Wasl Road is expected to drop by 50%, with capacity increasing from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour.
“This project is part of a broader master plan to revamp the surrounding road network, including Umm Suqeim and Al Safa Streets,” said Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors. “We’re integrating modern design, dedicated walkways, cycling tracks, and vibrant public spaces to support Dubai’s vision for livable and connected urban environments.”
The development includes new tunnels and improved junctions at Al Thanya, Al Manara, Umm Al Sheif, Umm Amara, Al Orouba, and Al Safa Streets. One notable addition is a unidirectional tunnel at Al Manara that will split into two separate routes with a combined capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour.
Enhancements also extend to a broader corridor—from Umm Suqeim Street to Al Qudra and Emirates Road—where new tunnels, bridges, and road expansions will be built to ease congestion and accommodate a fast-growing population. In total, these upgrades are set to serve over three million residents and cut commute times dramatically—such as reducing the drive from Jumeirah to Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six.