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.

Motorists in Abu Dhabi are being urged to pay their traffic fines early, and save money while doing so.

Abu Dhabi Police has called on drivers to take advantage of discounts and flexible payment options available through the TAMM app as part of its “Pay Early, Gain Surely” initiative.

The move is designed to make traffic fine payments easier, reduce financial pressure on motorists, and encourage compliance with road safety laws.

Discount on fines

Under the initiative:

• 35% discount is offered if the fine is paid within the first 60 days from the date of violation (excluding serious offences).
• 25% discount applies if payment is made after 60 days but within one year of the violation date.

Officials said the initiative also aims to raise awareness about the benefits of early settlement, including avoiding potential increases in fine amounts over time.

Interest-free instalment option

Drivers can also choose to pay their traffic fines in instalments over 12 months through participating banks, without interest.

Authorities say this option helps reduce financial burdens while promoting responsible driving behaviour.

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate noted that the initiative supports broader strategic goals focused on improving service quality, increasing public satisfaction, and strengthening proactive digital services in Abu Dhabi.

Motorists can access and manage their fines directly through the TAMM platform, making the process fully digital and convenient.

Sharjah Municipality has expanded its smart parking network across the emirate, introducing 10 smart parking yards with a total of 2,421 spaces. The move comes as part of the city’s wider smart city strategy and efforts to improve public services amid rapid urban growth and increasing tourism.

The municipality said the expansion is designed to make parking in Sharjah easier for residents and visitors, while improving traffic flow and overall service efficiency.

How Sharjah’s smart parking system works

Unlike regular paid public parking areas, these smart parking yards operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no free parking periods.

The facilities are equipped with AI-powered cameras installed at entry and exit points. These cameras automatically read vehicle number plates, track parking duration, and calculate fees — removing the need for paper tickets or traditional meters.

Motorists don’t need to send SMS payments either.

Parking fees must be paid exclusively through the Sharjah Digital app. Drivers can choose hourly parking (from one to five hours) or opt for daily, weekly, monthly, or annual subscriptions. Subscriptions apply only to the selected smart parking yard.

Once a vehicle exits, the system calculates the total parking time and sends a notification via the app showing the amount due.

More parking spaces coming soon

The municipality confirmed that six additional smart parking yards are currently under development. These will add another 1,457 parking spaces across Sharjah, further expanding organised parking solutions in commercial, residential, and tourist-heavy areas.

Officials say the goal is to address growing demand for parking in Sharjah while maintaining a safer and more structured environment for motorists.

As Sharjah continues to develop, smart parking infrastructure is becoming a key part of the emirate’s digital transformation, making parking faster, automated, and fully app-based.