If you live in Dubai, you’ve likely spent a fair share of your life on Hessa Street. It’s that one road we all love to hate during rush hour—the bridge over the E11 that feels more like a parking lot and the tight merges that test even the most patient driver. But as of January 11, 2026, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finally delivered the news we’ve been waiting for: Phase I of the Hessa Street Development Project is officially open.
This isn’t just a minor upgrade. We are talking about a massive AED 690 million overhaul that is fundamentally changing how we move between the beachside and the desert side of the city.
No More Bottlenecks: 16,000 Cars an Hour
For years, the stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road has been the ultimate “Hessa bottleneck.” By widening the road from two to four lanes in each direction, the RTA has effectively doubled the road’s capacity.
The numbers are pretty impressive: we’ve gone from a capacity of 8,000 vehicles per hour to a massive 16,000 vehicles per hour. Whether you’re heading toward the Marina from JVC or trying to get into Al Barsha for a quick supermarket run, you’ll notice the breathing room almost immediately.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, noted that this project is vital for the 640,000 residents expected to call this area home by 2030. It’s about future-proofing the city so that “getting there” doesn’t take longer than “being there.”
The New Bridge Lineup: What’s Changed?
The RTA hasn’t just painted new lines on the asphalt; they’ve built significant new infrastructure. Here is the breakdown of the major changes you’ll see on your next drive:
- Sheikh Zayed Road Intersection: A brand-new, two-lane directional ramp now arches over the Dubai Metro Red Line. This is a game-changer for anyone coming off SZR and heading east toward Emirates Road.
- First Al Khail & Al Asayel Intersections: The bridges here have been widened to four lanes. If you remember the old days of three lanes merging into two, those days are over.
- Al Khail Road Junction: This part was wrapped up recently, ensuring that those heading toward Sharjah have a dedicated, direct route without getting caught in the local Hessa traffic.
Also check out: Green Dubai: 2.5 Million Blooms Beautify Sheikh Zayed and Al Khail Roads – Social Kandura
Pedals and Paths: A 13.5km Cycling Revolution
Dubai is pushing hard to become a bicycle-friendly city, and this project is a huge part of that. Beyond the car lanes, the RTA is nearing completion of a 13.5km dedicated track for bicycles and e-scooters.
This isn’t just a lane on the side of the road. It’s 4.5 meters wide—split between cyclists and pedestrians—and includes two “signature” bridges. These bridges allow you to cross over major highways like Sheikh Zayed Road without ever having to worry about a car. The design is sleek and modern, connecting Al Sufouh all the way to Dubai Hills. It even links directly to the Dubai Internet City Metro Station, making it actually feasible to commute via scooter or bike without breaking a sweat (well, maybe just a little).
What’s Left to Do?
While Phase I is open and the relief is real, the project is currently at 90% completion. The RTA expects to have every last detail, including the final touches on the cycling tracks and secondary road improvements, finished by the second quarter of 2026.
For the residents of Al Barsha, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Barsha Heights, the “Hessa struggle” is finally becoming a thing of the past. It’s a reminder of why Dubai remains one of the most dynamic cities in the world—when a problem like traffic gets in the way of growth, the city builds a better way around it.
Read More:
- 57 New Road Projects in the Pipeline: RTA’s Big Plan to Cut Travel Time in Dubai
- RTA Finishes Al Warqa’a 1 Road Upgrade, Traffic Down 30%
- RTA Confirms 60% Completion of Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Road Project
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