UAE
Could this be Dubai’s biggest traffic fix? Here’s what residents need to know
Dubai is investing Dh2 billion in one of its biggest road infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and reduce congestion across the city. The Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor Development Project, announced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will create a new 12-kilometre transport corridor linking several of Dubai’s busiest highways.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, the project is expected to make daily commutes faster, improve access between key neighbourhoods, and support the city’s future growth.
Here’s what it means for residents.
A look at the Latifa bint Hamdan corridor?
The project involves building a 12km road corridor that will connect six major roads across Dubai:
- Sheikh Zayed Road
- Al Khail Road
- Al Meydan Street
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road
- Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street
- Emirates Road
By linking these major routes, the corridor will provide motorists with more direct travel options and reduce pressure on existing roads.
How will it reduce traffic?
One of the biggest advantages of the new corridor is its ability to ease congestion.
The road will have the capacity to handle up to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, helping distribute traffic more efficiently across Dubai’s road network.
The project also includes:
- Seven new bridges spanning 2.3 kilometres.
- Eight tunnels with a combined length of 900 metres.
These additions will reduce bottlenecks at busy intersections and improve traffic flow during peak hours.
Faster daily commutes
For thousands of residents, the project could significantly shorten travel times.
According to the RTA, the journey between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road will drop from 33 minutes to just 15 minutes once the project is completed, a reduction of 54%.
Shorter commutes mean less time spent in traffic and more time for work, family, or leisure.
Which areas will benefit?
The new corridor will improve connectivity for several fast-growing communities, including:
- Nad Al Sheba
- Al Barari
- Dubai Hills
- Dubai District One
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens
- Living Legends
- Majan
- Global Village
It will also benefit people travelling through residential, commercial and industrial areas located along Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Meydan Street, as well as areas between Al Khail Road and Emirates Road.
Better connections across the city
Instead of relying on a limited number of major highways, drivers will have another direct route connecting the city’s east-west and north-south road network.
This should make it easier to:
- Reach workplaces more quickly.
- Access schools and universities.
- Travel to shopping centres and entertainment destinations.
- Move between residential communities with fewer delays.
More options for cyclists
The project isn’t just for motorists.
The RTA will also build 12.5 kilometres of dedicated cycling tracks, linking the new corridor with Dubai’s existing cycling network.
Once completed, cyclists will be able to travel more easily between Al Qudra and Jumeirah, supporting healthier lifestyles and encouraging sustainable transport.
Supporting growing population
Dubai continues to welcome new residents and businesses every year, increasing demand on its transport infrastructure.
Projects like the Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor are designed to accommodate future growth by expanding road capacity and improving connectivity before congestion becomes a bigger challenge.
The Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor is more than just a new road. It is designed to improve everyday life by making travel faster, reducing traffic congestion, expanding cycling infrastructure, and creating better links between some of Dubai’s fastest-growing communities.
For residents, this means shorter journeys, smoother traffic, and a more connected city as Dubai continues to grow.
A journey on Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi–Fujairah passenger service is getting a distinctly Emirati flavour.
Passengers travelling between the two emirates can now enjoy an onboard menu inspired by the UAE’s culinary traditions, with dishes and drinks designed to bring local flavours into the modern rail experience.
The menu, created by Capital Catering, the food and beverage arm of ADNEC Group, was developed around the concept A Journey Through the Emirates.
The idea is simple: as passengers travel through the UAE, they can experience some of the country’s flavours and hospitality along the way.
What’s on the Etihad Rail menu?
The menu uses ingredients closely associated with Emirati cuisine and hospitality, including dates, saffron, cardamom, local honey and Arabic coffee.One of the standout dishes is a contemporary interpretation of machboos, a traditional rice dish.
The Etihad Rail version features slow-braised short rib served with fragrant Emirati-spiced rice, combining familiar flavours with a more modern presentation.
The menu has been designed to cater to different journey times, with options available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Passengers travelling in both Comfort and Premium classes have access to specially curated selections.
There’s a menu for younger passengers too
Families travelling by rail haven’t been overlooked.
Etihad Rail has introduced a dedicated children’s menu, designed to make the onboard dining experience more accessible for younger passengers.
The offering forms part of the railway’s wider effort to create a comfortable and welcoming experience for families and travellers of different ages.
Passengers get a taste of Emirati hospitality
For a limited period marking the launch of passenger services, travellers are also being welcomed with a complimentary Ghaf Juice Shot.
The drink takes its inspiration from the UAE’s national tree, the Ghaf.
Passengers can also enjoy locally inspired chocolates in flavours including:
- Seven spices
- Date and caramel
- Gahwa and cardamom
Traditional Arabic coffee is also available onboard, alongside fresh juices, specialty coffees and premium teas.
Together, the selection gives passengers more than a conventional train meal — it introduces elements of Emirati hospitality during the journey itself.
Who created the Etihad Rail menu?
The menu was developed by award-winning chef Maitha Warshaw, a UAE culinary talent known for presenting Emirati flavours through contemporary techniques.
Warshaw has represented the UAE internationally, including serving as Executive Chef of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Her approach focuses on taking familiar elements of Emirati cuisine and presenting them in ways that appeal to modern diners while retaining their cultural identity.
More than just a train journey
For Etihad Rail, the food offering is intended to become part of the overall passenger experience rather than simply an onboard service.
The railway says the journey is an opportunity for passengers to experience different aspects of the UAE, from the landscapes outside their windows to the country’s food, traditions and hospitality.
That means travellers on the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route can experience a modern form of transport while also getting a culinary introduction to the country.
For passengers, the new menu adds another layer to the Etihad Rail experience, offering a taste of Emirati culture while the train carries them across the UAE.
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