Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a Dh2 billion contract for the 12km Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor Development Project, which is expected to reduce travel time between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road from 33 minutes to 15 minutes. The project will improve access to several residential communities and major developments, while adding bridges, tunnels and cycling infrastructure. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
- Location: Dubai, connecting several major east-west routes
- Organisation: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Project value: Dh2 billion
- Status: Under development; completion expected by end-2028
- Who is affected: Residents, visitors and commuters across several Dubai communities
- Capacity: Around 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions
- Cycling: 12.5km of new cycling tracks
- What’s next: Construction will connect the corridor with wider road improvements, including the latest Al Meydan Street project
Dubai’s Latifa bint Hamdan road project is set to make journeys across some of the emirate’s busiest areas considerably quicker. Announced by the RTA, the Dh2 billion project will create a 12km strategic corridor linking Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Al Meydan Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Emirates Road.
According to RTA, travel time between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road is expected to fall from 33 minutes to just 15 minutes — a 54% reduction. The project is expected to serve around 650,000 residents and visitors once completed.
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How will the new Latifa bint Hamdan corridor improve Dubai traffic?
The project is designed to provide an additional east-west route and distribute traffic across several major roads.
RTA said the new corridor will have capacity for around 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and accommodate more than 130,000 trips each day.
It is also expected to increase capacity across Dubai’s east-west road corridors by around 12%. This should help ease pressure on busy routes such as Al Khail Road, Umm Suqeim Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
The project will expand Latifa bint Hamdan Street to four lanes in each direction. A new road will also connect the street with Al Khail Road.
Seven bridges and eight tunnels are planned
The scale of the project goes well beyond a standard road expansion.
RTA will build seven bridges stretching 2.3km in total, along with eight tunnels covering around 900 metres.
The work will also include new interchanges and road connections designed to keep traffic moving between major routes without relying on existing junctions.
This is particularly important as Dubai continues to see new residential and commercial developments emerge away from the traditional central areas.
The corridor will improve connections to communities and developments including Nad Al Sheba, Al Barari, Dubai Hills, Dubai District One, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Living Legends, Majan and Global Village.
The project will connect with Dubai’s cycling network
The road development also includes infrastructure for cyclists.
RTA plans to construct 12.5km of cycling tracks and connect them with Dubai’s existing network. Once integrated, the route will create a continuous cycling connection between Al Qudra and Jumeirah.
That gives the project a wider mobility role beyond reducing car journey times.
For residents who cycle for leisure or short-distance travel, the additional links could make it easier to move between existing cycling routes and communities along the corridor.
A new Dh1.1bn Al Meydan project adds another connection
The Latifa bint Hamdan corridor is also part of a wider programme of road improvements.
On August 30, 2026, RTA announced two contracts worth a combined Dh1.1 billion for the Al Meydan Street Development Project.
The latest project includes around 2km of new surface roads connecting Al Meydan Street with Latifa bint Hamdan Street. It will strengthen the link between the two major corridors and improve access to areas such as Dubai Hills, Nad Al Sheba, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Dubai District One and Al Barari.
The Al Meydan project will also introduce a three-lane connection in each direction with a combined capacity of around 7,800 vehicles per hour. A 700-metre elevated link on Dubai-Al Ain Road and upgrades to the Al Meydan Street–Muscat Street junction are also planned.
Together, the projects show how Dubai is expanding several connected road corridors rather than relying on one route to handle growing traffic.
For Dubai residents, the biggest benefit will be shorter journey times and more route options.
People living in communities such as Dubai Hills, Nad Al Sheba and Al Barari should see better connections to major roads as the projects progress. Visitors heading towards Global Village and surrounding developments will also benefit from improved road access.
Businesses can also gain from better connectivity between residential areas, commercial districts and major highways. Faster road connections can make daily commuting and deliveries more efficient.
However, the 54% figure should be understood correctly. RTA is forecasting a reduction in travel time on the specific journey between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road. It does not mean overall traffic across Dubai will fall by 54%.
Dubai has already seen improvements on Latifa bint Hamdan Street
The latest project builds on earlier work in the same area.
RTA previously completed the western section of Latifa bint Hamdan Street as part of the Latifa bint Hamdan and Umm Al Sheif Streets Development Project.
That earlier project reduced the journey between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road from 12 minutes to four minutes, according to RTA.
The new corridor will extend the benefits further east and create stronger connections with Emirates Road and other major highways.
FAQs
How much does the Latifa bint Hamdan road project cost?
The RTA has awarded a Dh2 billion contract for the Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor Development Project.
When will the Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor be completed?
RTA expects the 12km project to be completed by the end of 2028.
How much time will the new road save?
Travel time between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road is expected to drop from 33 minutes to 15 minutes, representing a 54% reduction.
Which areas will benefit from the project?
The corridor will serve areas including Nad Al Sheba, Al Barari, Dubai Hills, Dubai District One, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Living Legends, Majan and Global Village.
Will the project include cycling tracks?
Yes. The project includes 12.5km of cycling tracks, which will connect with Dubai’s existing cycling network between Al Qudra and Jumeirah.
Dubai’s Dh2 billion Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor is set to become an important east-west road connection, with seven bridges, eight tunnels and capacity for more than 130,000 daily trips. With the project scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, commuters and communities across central and eastern Dubai can expect stronger road links in the years ahead.
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