A major upgrade of Umm Suqeim Street, one of Dubai’s busiest roads, is now 70% complete, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The ongoing works stretch from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and are part of a massive 16-kilometre corridor project designed to improve traffic flow between Jumeirah Street and Emirates Road. The corridor serves over one million residents, including communities in Al Barsha South, Dubai Hills, Arjan and Dubai Science Park.
Mattar Al Tayer, RTA’s Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, toured the site this week to inspect progress. “This is a key project that supports Dubai’s urban expansion and aims to significantly cut travel times,” he said.
What’s Been Done So Far?
The 4.6km stretch currently under construction includes a major new intersection near Kings’ School in Al Barsha South, featuring an 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction, plus a signalised surface-level intersection above.
When finished, the corridor will be able to handle up to 16,000 vehicles per hour, slashing travel time between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road by more than half, from 9.7 minutes to just 3.8.
High-Tech Construction Tools
In a futuristic twist, drones and AI are playing a big part in the build. The RTA says smart technologies are helping monitor progress and track milestones more efficiently. These innovations have doubled on-site presence, cut survey times by 60%, and boosted monitoring efficiency by 40% – all part of Dubai’s smart city vision.
The Big Picture
Al Tayer highlighted that this project is a key piece in the puzzle to link Dubai’s major highways, including Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. Once completed, it will offer smoother, faster drives across the city – a win for commuters and residents alike.