Connect with us

News

Major Dubai road upgrades announced to cut traffic and improve daily commutes

Published

on

Spread the love

Dubai is embarking on a major transformation of its road network to address traffic congestion, enhance capacity, and support the emirate’s rapid growth. 

As part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, the ambitious infrastructure programme includes 57 key projects covering 226 km of roads and 115 bridges and tunnels. These upgrades are designed to accommodate Dubai’s expected population growth, which is projected to reach 8 million by 2040.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, recently visited the RTA to review the progress of these critical road projects. During his visit, he was briefed on the comprehensive plans that aim to ease traffic congestion and improve the overall transportation experience across the city.

Three Major Corridors in the Spotlight

Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor

  • Scope: 16 km corridor from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road
  • Current Status: Phase 1 is 50% complete
  • Infrastructure: 7 km of bridges and tunnels across four major junctions
  • Capacity: Expanding from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles per hour
  • Travel Time: Will drop from 46 minutes to just 11
  • Who It Serves: Over 1 million residents

Hessa Street

  • Scope: Upgrades to four key intersections
  • Progress: 60% complete, some parts already open
  • Infrastructure: 9 km of bridges
  • Capacity: Doubling from 4,000 to 8,000 vehicles per hour
  • Travel Time: Down from 30 minutes to 7
  • Residents Benefited: Around 640,000
  • Extra Feature: A new 13.5 km cycling and e-scooter track, with two eye-catching bridges crossing Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road

Al Fay Road Corridor

  • Route: Extending Al Khail Road from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road
  • Infrastructure: 12.9 km of road and 13.5 km of bridges over five intersections
  • Capacity: To support an extra 64,400 vehicles per hour
  • Residents Benefited: 600,000 once complete

Quick Wins on Sheikh Zayed Road

Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the city’s busiest arteries, sees 2.5 million users daily. A series of “quick-win” traffic solutions rolled out between January and April this year have already made an impact:

  • 5–10% drop in congestion
  • 9% cut in traffic volumes after dynamic tolling
  • 4% increase in public transport ridership
  • 2.3% drop in vehicle use and 1% rise in public transport usage thanks to dynamic parking tariffs

Other Corridors Being Upgraded

  • Latifa bint Hamdan Street (Al Khail Road to Emirates Road)
  • Al Meydan Street
  • Al Mustaqbal Street
  • Dubai World Trade Centre roundabout

These projects reflect Dubai’s long-term vision to stay ahead of population growth and maintain smooth traffic flow across key residential and commercial zones.

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

Dh1,000 fine and 4 black points: Dubai Police issue warning on sudden swerving

Published

on

Spread the love

Dubai Police have issued a renewed and stern warning to motorists regarding the dangers of sudden swerving, labelling the manoeuvre as a primary catalyst for fatalities and severe collisions on the emirate’s high-speed roads.

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs, highlighted that while missing an exit or attempting a quick overtake may seem minor, the resulting “side-impact collisions, loss of vehicle control, and rollovers” are often life-altering.

The split-second danger

Recent monitoring by Dubai Police has recorded a surge in incidents where drivers changed lanes without indicators or ensured the road was clear. On high-speed corridors, these actions leave zero reaction time for surrounding motorists.

“Arriving late is far better than not arriving at all,” said Major General Al Mazrouei. “Missing an exit never justifies putting lives at risk. We urge the public to remain calm, use indicators correctly, and avoid impulsive decisions behind the wheel.”

The cost of a sudden turn

To deter risky behaviour, Dubai Police reminded the public of the strict penalties under Article 29 of the Federal Traffic Law. Motorists caught swerving suddenly face:

  • A Dh1,000 fine.
  • Four black points added to their traffic file.

Community vigilance: We are all police

Road safety is a shared responsibility. The public is encouraged to report dangerous driving behaviour via the “Police Eye” feature on the Dubai Police smart app or by using the “We Are All Police” service by calling 901.

Continue Reading

Middle East

The Philippines guarantees unemployment cash benefits for Middle East overseas workers amid regional crisis

Published

on

Spread the love

As a 14-day ceasefire brings a temporary lull to regional conflict, the Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines has issued a major reassurance to its 540,000+ active paying OFW members across the Middle East. SSS President Robert Joseph de Claro confirmed today that digital infrastructure remains fully operational, ensuring that displaced workers can access critical “Unemployment Benefits” and pension services regardless of the security situation on the ground.

Who qualifies?

With over 4,300 Filipinos already repatriated as of April 6, the SSS “Unemployment Benefit” serves as a vital bridge for those involuntarily separated from their jobs. To qualify, OFW members must meet the following:

  • Age: 60 years old or below.
  • Contributions: At least 36 monthly contributions, with 12 months paid within the 18 months immediately preceding the job loss.
  • Certification: Involuntary separation must be certified by the DMW (formerly POEA).
  • Timeline: Applications must be submitted via the My.SSS portal within one year of separation.

Recognising the difficulty of physical travel during the current conflict, SSS has launched a breakthrough Facial Authentication with Liveness Check for its pensioners. This allows retirees in the Middle East to complete their Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) via smartphone, eliminating the need to visit embassies or consulates.

Continue Reading

News

Heading to Abu Dhabi this weekend? What motorists need to know about road closures 

Published

on

Spread the love

Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced a series of temporary traffic modifications and partial road closures affecting major arteries in the capital starting today, Friday, April 10, through Monday, April 13, 2026.

The scheduled works will impact Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20), key routes connecting Khalifa City and Zayed City. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and plan for potential delays.

The closure schedule:

To minimise weekday disruption, the closures are concentrated over the weekend:

  • Friday, April 10 (2pm – Monday, April 13 (5am): The right lane on Al Fursan Street heading towards Abu Dhabi will be closed. Traffic flow will be maintained on the remaining open lanes.
  • Saturday, April 11 (12am) – Sunday, April 12 (11pm): A full closure of entry and exit points on Al Fursan Street will be in effect.

Guidance for motorists

Abu Dhabi Mobility has implemented a comprehensive traffic management plan. While diversions will be clearly marked with directional signage, authorities recommend the following:

  • Plan in advance: Use navigation apps to check for real-time congestion before departing.
  • Alternative routes: Utilise surrounding roads, including the main Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20) corridor, to bypass the affected zones.
  • Safety first: Adhere to posted speed limits within diversion zones to ensure the safety of road crews and fellow drivers.

These measures are part of ongoing scheduled works designed to improve the capital’s infrastructure and long-term traffic efficiency.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/