In a major boost to Dubai’s road network, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened a key stretch of the Hessa Street Development Project, transforming one of the city’s busiest corridors.

The newly completed 4.5 km section connects Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Khail Road, with the road now expanded to four lanes in each direction, significantly easing congestion.

Faster commutes, smoother traffic

The upgrade is expected to dramatically improve daily travel:

• Journey time reduced from 15 minutes to just 4 minutes
• Road capacity doubled from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour

Major junctions upgraded include:

• Al Asayel Street
• First Al Khail Street
• Key interchanges at Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road

What’s new on Hessa Street

The project introduces several infrastructure enhancements:

• New slip road above the Dubai Metro Red Line
• Widened bridges at major intersections
• Direct links towards Sharjah and Deira via Al Khail Road

These upgrades are designed to streamline traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks across the corridor.

Supporting Dubai’s growing communities

According to Mattar Al Tayer, the project supports rapid urban expansion across key residential areas like Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle.

The population served is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030, highlighting the importance of this upgrade.

What’s next

Phase Two is already underway, extending the project from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

Once complete, it will:

• Cut travel time from 24 minutes to 5 minutes
• Serve around 650,000 residents across 10 communities
• Further expand road capacity

In a strong move to protect consumers and market stability, the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism has referred a group of businesses to the Public Prosecution for unjustifiably increasing poultry prices.

Authorities said the group exploited ongoing regional developments to inflate prices, a practice that directly violates consumer protection laws and threatens both food security and economic stability in the country.

What the law says

Under Article 5 of the Regulation of Competition Law UAE, businesses are strictly prohibited from engaging in practices that distort or restrict competition.

This includes:

• Price-fixing or artificially inflating prices
• Coordinating to limit supply or control distribution
• Colluding in tenders or bids
• Imposing unfair conditions on sales or purchases

The law also bans tactics like hoarding, unjustified stockpiling, or creating artificial shortages to manipulate market prices.

Why this action matters

Officials emphasised that such violations go beyond simple misconduct, they can disrupt entire supply chains and impact everyday consumers.

By taking legal action, the ministry aims to:

• Maintain stable food prices
• Protect consumer rights
• Ensure fair competition in the market
• Safeguard national food and economic security

Ongoing market monitoring

This case is part of wider inspection campaigns being carried out across the UAE to monitor pricing and prevent manipulation, especially in essential goods like food.

Authorities have signalled zero tolerance for businesses attempting to exploit market conditions for unfair gains.

In a city known for constantly reimagining urban life, Dubai Municipality has introduced a concept that could change how people think about both work and leisure.

Called the ‘Work from Park’ initiative, the idea is simple but powerful: turn public parks into flexible workspaces where productivity meets nature.

The first location is set to open in May 2026 at Al Barsha Pond Park, a popular green escape that will soon double as an open-air office for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers.

From green spaces to productive places

Instead of traditional office setups, the initiative brings thoughtfully designed modular workspaces into parks. These will include hot desks, meeting areas, and even creative studios, allowing people to work, collaborate, and create while surrounded by greenery.

The project is being developed in partnership with Group AMANA, which will build sustainable, modular units, and Letswork, which will operate and manage bookings through its platform.

Users can expect access to a variety of work environments, including podcast studios and content-creation spaces, making it especially appealing to creators and small businesses.

A vision aligned with Dubai’s future

The Work from Park initiative supports long-term strategies like the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the Dubai 2040 Parks and Greenery Strategy, which aim to enhance quality of life by making cities greener, healthier, and more adaptable to modern lifestyles.

Beyond desks and Wi-Fi, the initiative will also host educational sessions, collaborative workshops, and networking events. The goal is to build a vibrant community where ideas grow as naturally as the surrounding greenery.

With more locations planned across Dubai, public parks are set to evolve into multifunctional hubs that blend work, wellness, and social life.