Commuters using Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station should expect temporary traffic changes after Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) closed the station’s bus and taxi service road until the end of 2026.

The closure is part of a major expansion project aimed at increasing the station’s capacity to meet growing passenger demand.

Why is the road closed?

According to the RTA, the service road has been closed to allow construction work for the station’s expansion.

The road will remain accessible only to construction vehicles during the project.

What should commuters know?

To minimise disruption, the RTA has introduced a traffic management plan and advises passengers to:

• Follow directional signs around the station.
• Observe the posted speed limits.
• Start their journeys earlier to allow extra travel time.
• Use the designated alternative parking areas.

Public transport services will continue to operate, with measures in place to ensure passengers can safely access the station.

Why is the station being expanded?

Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station is one of the busiest stations on the Dubai Metro network, serving thousands of commuters and visitors heading to:

• Dubai Mall.
• Burj Khalifa.
• Downtown Dubai.

Once completed, the expansion will:

• Increase hourly passenger capacity by 65%, from 7,250 to 12,320 passengers.
• Raise daily capacity to up to 220,000 passengers.
• Help reduce congestion during major events, public holidays and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The upgrade is part of Dubai’s ongoing efforts to improve public transport infrastructure and accommodate the city’s growing number of residents and visitors.

A bottle of cold water or an ice cream may seem like a small gesture, but during Dubai’s summer heat, it can make a meaningful difference.

That’s the idea behind the third edition of the Al Freej Fridge campaign, launched on July 3 at Al Khawaneej Majlis. The community initiative aims to distribute two million bottles of cold water, juices and frozen treats to workers across Dubai throughout the summer.

Supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and organised in partnership with Suqia UAE and the UAE Food Bank, the campaign brings together volunteers, government entities and community organisations to recognise the contributions of workers who spend long hours outdoors.

Bigger campaign, more volunteers

Organisers say this year’s campaign will expand volunteer participation to around 200 volunteers while encouraging more government entities, companies and residents to get involved.

Portable fridges will also be introduced, allowing volunteers to stock refreshments and distribute them directly to workers across different parts of Dubai.

For workers, the cold water, juice and ice cream are welcome relief during the hot summer days.

This campaign will continue until September 3, reaching workers across construction sites, industrial areas and other outdoor workplaces throughout Dubai.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is rolling out a series of traffic improvement projects at 28 locations across the emirate between July and September 2026 to ease congestion, improve road safety and reduce travel times.

The works are being carried out during the summer holidays to minimise disruption while traffic volumes are lower.

What’s changing?

The programme covers:

• 4 locations near schools.
• 3 locations in development areas.
• 21 locations across major roads and residential communities.

The upgrades aim to improve traffic flow, strengthen connections between residential and commercial areas, and support Dubai’s growing population.

Emirates Road expansion

One of the biggest projects is the expansion of Emirates Road, where two new lanes are being added along a 5km stretch from Sharjah towards Al Amardi Street.

According to the RTA, the project is expected to reduce peak-hour journey times by 25% on one of the busiest roads connecting Dubai with neighbouring emirates.

Other key road improvements

The RTA will also introduce traffic upgrades at several busy locations, including:

• The intersection of Trade Centre Street and Marasi Drive in Business Bay.
• Latifa bint Hamdan Street near Al Quoz Industrial Area.
• Ras Al Khor Road towards Al Khail Road.
• The intersection of Al Khawaneej Street and Al Amardi Street.
• The right turn from Ras Al Khor Road to Dubai–Al Ain Road, which will be expanded from one lane to two.
• Algeria Street in Al Mizhar 4, where an additional lane will improve access near labour accommodation.

These upgrades are expected to reduce queues and improve traffic flow in high-demand areas.

School zone upgrades

Ahead of the new academic year, the RTA is also improving access around schools by adding parking spaces and enhancing traffic movement at:

• Zayed Educational Complex in Al Mizhar 2.
• Horizon International School in Umm Al Sheif.

The improvements are designed to reduce congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times while improving safety for students and parents.

How were the locations selected?

The RTA said the projects were chosen after analysing:

• Historical traffic data.
• Field surveys.
• Intelligent transport system data.
• Traffic camera monitoring.
• Feedback and suggestions from the public.

The authority says the “Quick Wins” programme is designed to deliver practical improvements that reduce congestion, shorten journey times and enhance the overall driving experience across Dubai.