Commuting in Dubai just became a lot less time-consuming. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a series of major improvements to the road network linking Sheikh Zayed Road with Al Khail Road, significantly reducing congestion during peak times.
With a focus on widening key exits and increasing capacity across important interchanges, the upgrades are already helping reduce delays, particularly for morning and evening commuters.
Traffic eased by up to 40% during peak hours
Among the key changes, the RTA has doubled the capacity of Exit D69, which connects Sheikh Zayed Road with Al Khail Road and Al Meydan Street. The expansion from one to two lanes allows the exit to now handle 3,000 vehicles per hour—up from 1,500—resulting in smoother traffic movement and less wait time.
Engineers added one more lane at the First Al Khail Road bridge, boosting its capacity from three to four lanes. This means the bridge can now accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour, an improvement of over 30%. Drivers travelling between Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Al Hadiqa Street, and Al Meydan Street are already seeing shorter travel times.
Strategic lane expansions make the difference
The authorities widened the ramps that connect the surface road to the First Al Khail Road bridge to support the increased traffic flow. These changes have made it easier for vehicles to transition between different roads without the usual bottlenecks.
Travel time for many regular routes in the area has dropped significantly. In some cases, motorists are saving up to three minutes per crossing—particularly beneficial during the city’s busiest traffic windows.
Designed to keep Dubai moving efficiently
These infrastructure works form part of a larger plan by the RTA to ease traffic in high-demand zones. Over 75 traffic improvement projects are scheduled across the city this year alone, targeting key areas such as Business Bay, Al Quoz, and intersections feeding into central Dubai.
The changes are designed not only to reduce delay but to create a more reliable experience for road users—especially those commuting daily through vital corridors like Sheikh Zayed Road.
Local commuters already feeling the difference
The upgrades are being noticed by thousands of drivers who rely on this stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road daily. Whether it’s professionals heading to work in Business Bay, families on the school run, or logistics teams moving goods across Dubai, quicker journeys mean less time spent in queues and more predictability on the road.
For residents living in areas like Al Quoz, Al Hadiqa, and parts of Downtown Dubai, the improvements are cutting down both stress and commute time—especially during the early morning rush or late-afternoon build-up.
The streamlined traffic flow has also led to less stop-and-go driving, which contributes to reduced vehicle emissions and better fuel efficiency—a small but meaningful step towards the city’s long-term sustainability goals.
A wider vision for smoother mobility across the city
These changes are more than short-term fixes. The RTA’s current push aligns with Dubai’s larger mobility and urban planning objectives under the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040. The goal is to support growing residential and commercial communities with smart infrastructure that can handle increasing demand—without causing delays or frustration on the roads.
By improving high-traffic links like Sheikh Zayed Road, the authority is not only easing pressure in specific areas but also creating a ripple effect across the wider road network. Faster merges, safer exits, and fewer chokepoints mean better traffic distribution citywide.
More improvements on the horizon
Looking ahead, the RTA plans to roll out more network enhancements throughout 2025 and beyond. These will include advanced signal systems, digital traffic monitoring tools, and further expansion of key arterial roads. Areas expected to benefit next include corridors around Dubai Silicon Oasis, Deira, and Al Barsha.
While not every upgrade will be immediately visible, the cumulative impact over time will be significant—especially as Dubai continues to grow both in population and infrastructure complexity.
A smoother future for Dubai’s roads
With reduced travel times, better road capacity, and an ongoing commitment to mobility, the recent Sheikh Zayed Road traffic improvement project highlights how thoughtful planning and timely execution can make everyday life noticeably easier for drivers in Dubai.
And as more of these upgrades are delivered across the city, the daily commute could soon become more efficient for everyone.
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