As one of the most significant actions aimed at modernising the road network of Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has revealed the overall upgrade of one of the busiest east-west corridors of the city, Umm Suqeim Street. The project is intended to raise the traffic volume to 16,000 cars in an hour and reduce 20-minute travel time to only 6 minutes by combining both new tunnel systems, new bridges, and artificial intelligence.
This is in preparation of the Umm Suqeim Al Qudra Corridor Master Plan, which is a major infrastructure development project worth 20 kilometres, aimed at mixing up major residential and business areas in Dubai, and relieving traffic, as well as enhancing road security.
Key Features of the Umm Suqeim Street Upgrade
Higher Traffic Capacity & Reduced Travel Time
- Capacity increase: The upgraded Umm Suqeim Street will have the capacity to handle 16,000 vehicles annually within both directions.
- Time savings of travel: Commuters who travel by car along the route between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road will save a lot of time which is about 20 minutes before the project to a mere 6 minutes.
- The current status: An online 4.6 kilometres segment (between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road) is already in its 70 percent completion stage and is scheduled to be operational by the third quarter of 2025.
Upgraded Intersections, Tunnels & Bridges
In order to overcome traffic pinch points, the redesign of:
- Three tunnels and four new bridges with a total length of 4,100 meters.
- A two-lane tunnel at the Jumeirah Street and another two-lane one at Al Wasl Street to reduce congestion of the Sheikh Zayed Road.
- Two new bridges in Sheikh Zayed Road to enhance the rush-hour movement.
- Tunnels at the First Al Khail Street to make traffic easy traffic between Al Barsha and the Sheikh Zayed road.
- Expanding the area of First Al Khail to Al Aseel street to four lanes in each direction.
Enhanced Facilities for Pedestrians and Cyclists
This improvement will not only be enjoyed by people who drive, but also by the pedestrians and the bicycles:
- Walkability by means of new pedestrian routes, which will ensure healthy lifestyles.
- A lively and active community will use the urban street design known as complete streets.
- Last-mile connectivity will be improved since there will be a direct pedestrian route between the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and neighboring communities.
Smart Technology & AI Integration
The project adopts the vision of a smart city in Dubai:
- The AI-enabled drones and time-lapse pictures can also be utilized to tackle construction progress as well, increasing its efficiency by 40%.
- These technologies assist in implementing real-time decision-making, consequently, there is a faster completion of the projects and better quality control.
- It is likely that the AI will have more extensive application in RTA projects in the future.
Widespread Impact on Dubai’s Road Network
Umm Suqeim-Al Qudra corridor will connect four big highways:
- Sherk Zayed Road
- Al Khail Road
- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
- Emirates Road
More than two million people living in the major locations such as Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Shaif, and Al Quoz will enjoy the easier, more intelligent road.
Phased Construction and Future Developments
Phase 1: Umm Suqeim Upgrade
- A 4.6km stretch is already 70 percent finished.
- It has a new 800m tunnel within King School in Al Barsha south.
Al Qudra Road Upgrade (Parallel Project)
- Consists of construction of a 2,700m bridge and a road widening of 11.6km.
- When complete estimated to reduce travel time of 9.4 minutes to 2.8 minutes.
- The following stages are the improved access to Arabian Ranches, Dubai Studio City and other developing districts.
A Glimpse Into the Future: Dubai 2040 Master Plan
The Umm Suqeim Street renewal is in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which will see the emirate become a world-leading smart city that will have:
- Integrated mobility
- Environmentally friendly city form development
- Well-designed network of roads
When done, this corridor will leave a template that will be followed in future urban planning that will bring both smart infrastructure and a solution that is community friendly.
