News
Shindagha Tunnel to be reopened on March 16
Shindagha Tunnel will be reopened for traffic in the direction from Deira to Bur Dubai on March 16, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced. It’s being reopened as the work to connect the Infinity Bridge and the new bridges with the tunnel has been completed.
With the reopening of the tunnel and connecting it with the new bridges along the Shindagha Corridor, the road capacity will go up by 3,000 vehicles per hour. This will bring the total capacity of the corridor to 15,000 vehicles per hour.
Changes to the directional signs in the area have been made. This has been done so that there’s a smooth flow of traffic from Deira as the Shindagha Tunnel reopens. The RTA has asked drivers to follow speed limits and comply with the directional signs to their destinations as follows:
— The traffic movement towards the Falcon Junction must move rightwards at the 2-lane exit of the bridge (BR2).
— The traffic towards Jumeirah has to move leftwards at the single-lane exit of the bridge (BR1). It should cross the Falcon Junction through the three-lane northern bridge in the direction of Jumeriah.
— The traffic inbound from the roundabout over Shindagha Tunnel can go towards Deira by taking the free rightward lane heading to the Infinity Bridge or head directly to Bur Dubai and Jumeirah through Bridge (BR2) in the direction of the Falcon Junction.
— The traffic inbound from Al Mamzar, Al Khaleej Street and Omar bin Al Khattab Street can head to Bur Dubai and Jumeirah through the Infinity Bridge or Shindagha Tunnel.
— The traffic inbound from Palm Deira Metro Station and Corniche Street can head to the entry of Infinity Bridge through the upper deck of Corniche Street.
The UAE-Oman railway project, officially known as Hafeet Rail, has reached 40 % completion, marking a major milestone in one of the region’s most ambitious transport initiatives.
Once operational, the cross-border rail line will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar in just 1 hour and 40 minutes, while journeys from Al Ain to Sohar will take only 47 minutes.
First modern cross-border train in the region
Announced in 2023, the project is a joint venture between Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala.
Spanning 303km, the railway will be the first modern cross-border train in the Arab world, carrying both passengers and cargo between the UAE and Oman.
Route and speed
The line will run from the UAE’s existing rail network in Al Wathba to Sohar’s port, passing through varied terrain including deserts, valleys, and mountains alongside Jebel Hafeet.
- Train speed: up to 200 km/h
- Route length (main section): approx. 238km
- Travel time: significantly reduced between key cities
Major engineering works
The project includes:
- 2,500m of tunnels through mountainous terrain
- 21 overbridges and 39 underpasses
- Viaducts and bridges to ensure smooth, uninterrupted rail flow
These features will help maintain efficient travel across challenging landscapes.
Freight services between nations
Beyond passenger travel, Hafeet Rail is expected to create an integrated logistics network, strengthening trade and economic ties between the UAE and Oman. Freight locomotives will be used to power cargo services across the network, helping to strengthen regional logistics, trade flows, and supply chain efficiency between the two Gulf countries.
The project is valued at around $3 billion and is expected to play a major role in enhancing connectivity and economic integration across the region.
While construction is progressing across multiple locations, no official completion date has yet been announced.
His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a major new infrastructure project set to expand the emirate’s transport network.
The 24-kilometre line, with an estimated cost of Dh 34 billion, will pass through 15 key strategic areas, serving around 1.5 million residents and connecting to 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
Key route and connectivity
The new line will run from Al Ghubaiba in the north to Jumeirah Golf Estates, linking historic and emerging parts of the city.
- Total stations: 18
- Fully underground line
- Intersections with existing Red and Green Metro Lines
- Integration with Etihad Rail passenger stations in Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates
Boost to metro network
The Gold Line will increase the Dubai Metro’s overall length by 25%, significantly improving connectivity across the city.
The project is scheduled for completion on September 9, 2032.
Sheikh Mohammed said the project is part of Dubai’s ongoing ambition to become the world’s best city to live in, with continued investment in infrastructure and mobility.
The new line is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting urban growth across Dubai.
Inside the UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail project now 40% complete
New Dubai Metro Gold Line to expand network by 25%
