Quick answer
- The RTA opened the new at-grade Trade Centre junction in Dubai on 8 October 2026, replacing the old Trade Centre Roundabout.
- According to the RTA, turning the Trade Centre Roundabout into a surface junction doubles its capacity and cuts the average delay from 12 minutes to 90 seconds.
- The new junction improves traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street and from Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road southbound.
- Traffic from 2nd December Street gets a free flowing route to Al Majlis Street, which leads to Al Mustaqbal Street, and to Sheikh Rashid Road towards Deira.
The RTA has opened the at-grade Trade Centre junction that replaces the Trade Centre Roundabout in Dubai. The change affects drivers moving between Sheikh Zayed Road, 2nd December Street, Al Mustaqbal Street, Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Road, including commuters heading to Dubai World Trade Centre and DIFC.
The new Trade Centre Roundabout junction is now open to traffic. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 8 October 2026 that it had opened the Trade Centre at-grade junction, a key part of the wider Trade Centre Roundabout development project. The old roundabout, where the RTA put the average delay at 12 minutes, has now been converted into a surface junction.
What the RTA announced
In its official announcement, the RTA said the new junction improves the flow of traffic coming from Sheikh Zayed Road towards 2nd December Street, and of traffic coming from Al Mustaqbal Street towards Sheikh Zayed Road in the southbound direction.
The RTA added that the junction also supports free flowing traffic from 2nd December Street to Al Majlis Street, which leads on to Al Mustaqbal Street, and to Sheikh Rashid Road in the direction of Deira. According to the authority, converting the roundabout into an at-grade junction doubles the capacity of the junction and reduces the average delay from 12 minutes to 90 seconds.
| Movement | What changes |
|---|---|
| Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street | Smoother flow through the new at-grade junction |
| Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road (southbound) | Smoother flow through the new at-grade junction |
| 2nd December Street to Al Majlis Street (towards Al Mustaqbal Street) | Free flowing traffic |
| 2nd December Street to Sheikh Rashid Road (towards Deira) | Free flowing traffic |
| Average delay at the junction | Down from 12 minutes to 90 seconds |
| Junction capacity | Doubled, according to the RTA |
Trade Centre Roundabout junction: what it means for drivers
For anyone who drives into Dubai from Sheikh Zayed Road or 2nd December Street, the biggest change is the end of the old roundabout. The RTA has previously described the plan as turning the roundabout into a signalised at-grade intersection, so drivers should expect traffic signals and new lane layouts instead of giving way on a circle.
The headline figure is the delay. The RTA says the average wait at this crossing falls from 12 minutes to 90 seconds now that the junction has replaced the roundabout. That matters most during the morning and evening peaks and on days when large exhibitions and events are running at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Drivers coming from Al Mustaqbal Street also benefit, because the new junction improves the movement back onto Sheikh Zayed Road heading south.
Key dates in the Trade Centre Roundabout project
The junction is the latest stage of a project that has opened in phases since late 2025, starting with the first two Trade Centre bridges in December. RTA figures for each stage are below, taken from its announcements and the Dubai Media Office.
| Date | What opened | Capacity | RTA time figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 December 2025 | Two bridges, 2,000 metres combined, from 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street | About 6,000 vehicles per hour | Not stated |
| 27 February 2026 | 1,000 metre, two lane bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street | 3,000 vehicles per hour | 6 minutes down to 1 minute |
| 9 May 2026 | About 500 metre single lane bridge from Al Bada’ towards 2nd December Street | Up to 1,200 vehicles per hour | 8 minutes down to 2 minutes |
| 8 October 2026 | At-grade Trade Centre junction replacing the roundabout | Doubled | Average delay 12 minutes down to 90 seconds |
The RTA has said the full project includes bridges with a combined length of 5,000 metres and will serve more than half a million residents and visitors, including people travelling to Dubai World Trade Centre and DIFC. In August 2026 it reported that the roundabout project was more than 85 percent complete.
Practical tips for using the new junction
- Slow down on approach for the first few days. The layout has changed, and drivers who know the old roundabout may hesitate at the new signals.
- Choose your lane early. Use the overhead signs to pick the lane for Sheikh Zayed Road, 2nd December Street, Al Majlis Street or Sheikh Rashid Road before you reach the junction.
- Use the bridges where they fit your route. Several free flowing bridges built as part of the project already take traffic over the junction, so you may not need to stop at all.
- Allow extra time on DWTC event days. Large exhibitions still bring heavy traffic to the area even with the new layout.
- Check before you set off. Our UAE road closures tracker lists current official closures and diversions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Heavy vehicles also need to plan around the new truck rules that started on 1 October. See our guide to the Dubai truck restrictions for the roads and hours affected.
FAQs
When did the Trade Centre junction open?
The RTA announced the opening of the at-grade Trade Centre junction on 8 October 2026. It replaces the old Trade Centre Roundabout as part of the Trade Centre Roundabout development project.
How much time will drivers save at the Trade Centre junction?
The RTA says converting the roundabout into an at-grade junction cuts the average delay from 12 minutes to 90 seconds. It also says the change doubles the capacity of the junction.
Which roads meet at the new Trade Centre junction?
The junction links Sheikh Zayed Road, 2nd December Street, Al Mustaqbal Street, Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Road. The RTA says it improves movements from Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street and from Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road southbound.
Will there be traffic lights at the Trade Centre junction?
Yes. The RTA has described the project as converting the roundabout into a signalised at-grade intersection. Drivers who used to give way on the roundabout should now follow the signals and lane markings.
Are there still diversions around the Trade Centre area?
The RTA announcement did not list any remaining diversions, so drivers should follow the signs on site. Our Dubai road closures page lists the current official closures and diversions.
More for drivers: UAE Driving Guide
