News
Huge relief for drivers: New Dubai bridge cuts travel time to 1 minute
Commuters using one of Dubai’s busiest corridors just got a major upgrade.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened a new 1,000-metre bridge linking Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, slashing journey times from six minutes to just one minute.
And this is only part of a much bigger transformation.
What’s the new bridge?
- It spans 1,000 metres
- Has two lanes
- Handles up to 3,000 vehicles per hour
- Connects traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Al Karama and Deira
It’s the third bridge completed under the wider World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project.
Two earlier bridges opened in February 2026, improving traffic from 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Majlis Street.
Why this intersection matters
The World Trade Centre Roundabout is one of Dubai’s most critical traffic nodes. It connects five major roads:
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street
- Sheikh Rashid Street
- 2nd December Street
- Zabeel Palace Street
- Al Majlis Street
It also serves key destinations like:
- Dubai World Trade Centre
- Dubai International Financial Centre
More than half a million residents and visitors rely on this corridor daily.
From 12 Minutes to 90 Seconds
When the full five-bridge project is completed:
- Average delays will drop from 12 minutes to 90 seconds
- That’s a 92% reduction
- Free-flow traffic will operate in multiple directions
- The existing roundabout will become a signalised junction
Two additional bridges, connecting traffic from Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street, are set to open in October.
Who benefits most?
- Daily commuters heading to Deira and Karama
- Residents in Zabeel, Al Satwa, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool
- Businesses in DIFC
- Event attendees at Dubai World Trade Centre
For drivers, the impact is immediate. For central Dubai’s traffic grid, the biggest gains are still coming later this year.
If you drive this stretch daily, you’ll likely feel the difference from your very next commute.
News
Crackdown on Illegal paying guests: Dubai’s new shared housing law takes effect with fines up to Dh1m
Dubai’s new legislation governing shared accommodation officially came into effect on August 26. Applying across the entire emirate, including free zones and special development zones, the comprehensive framework is designed to eliminate dangerous, overcrowded, and unauthorised partition rentals while establishing formal licensing standards for communal living.
What qualifies as shared housing?
Under the law, shared housing is defined as any residential property where individuals or families occupy private designated living spaces while sharing common facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and dining areas.
Who is permitted to rent out shared units?
The new framework strictly bans unauthorised subletting by tenants. A primary tenant can no longer rent out individual bedrooms, partitioned spaces, or bed spaces directly to roommates or third parties.
Only the following entities can legally offer shared housing:
- Registered Property Owners: Leasing spaces directly to occupants under formal contracts.
- Licensed Management Companies: Authorised operators contracted by the owner to run and lease the property.
- Licensed Operators Subletting Master Leases: Approved commercial entities leasing an entire property from the owner to sublet authorised units to tenants.
Penalties for violations
Authorities have introduced strict financial and operational consequences for non-compliance:
- Initial Fines: Dh500 up to Dh500,000, depending on the severity of the violation.
- Repeat Violations: Fines double for repeat offences committed within one year, capped at Dh1,000,000.
- Operational Sanctions: Authorities may suspend operations for up to 6 months, revoke commercial licenses, cancel permits, disconnect utilities, seize equipment, or order the direct evacuation of non-compliant properties.
Grace period & tenant protection
- Compliance deadline: Existing shared housing operators and property owners have until August 26, 2027, to obtain permits and bring their properties into full compliance.
- Protection from sudden eviction: If an operator’s permit is suspended or cancelled, authorities can grant occupants an interim stay period to secure alternative accommodation rather than facing immediate eviction.
Approved property/resident categories
The regulation permits shared accommodation across six distinct property types:
- Residential apartments
- Detached/standalone houses
- Residential complexes
- Mixed-use buildings
- Attached / adjoining houses
- Multi-storey buildings
Permitted occupant groups include families, single men, single women, university students, government personnel, and private sector corporate employees. Corporate and student housing provided directly by employers or educational institutions does not require individual tenancy contracts.
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