Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed traffic enhancements at over 50 key locations across the emirate in 2024, significantly improving road efficiency, vehicle flow, and travel times.
These projects, part of RTA’s strategic mobility plan, align with Dubai’s rapid urban expansion and growing traffic demands.
With an additional 75 upgrades scheduled for 2025, the city’s road network is set for even greater improvements in efficiency and capacity.
Smoother traffic, shorter travel times
Hussain Al Banna, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, highlighted the impact of the 2024 enhancements. “The traffic solutions implemented this year have increased road capacity by up to 20 percent and reduced travel times by as much as 60 percent at multiple locations. These improvements optimise vehicle movement across major roads and key intersections,” he said.
Key upgrades included the widening of Beirut Street, enhancements at the Al Khawaneej Street and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Street intersection, lane expansions from Al Rebat Street to Business Bay Crossing, the expansion of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road exit to Al Rebat Street, and the creation of a new route connecting Al Khail Road to Meydan Street.
School zone upgrades improve safety
RTA also prioritised school zones, carrying out eight traffic improvement projects across 37 schools in 2024. These upgrades included widening roads around schools, increasing parking spaces, enhancing entry and exit points, and implementing traffic diversions to reduce congestion during peak hours. The result was a 20 percent improvement in traffic flow in school areas.
Notable schools that benefited from these enhancements included Kings' School on Umm Suqeim Street, The International School of Choueifat - Dubai, and Dubai College on Hessa Street, as well as schools in Al Safa, Al Warqa 4, Al Qusais, Al Mizhar, Nad Al Sheba, and Al Twar 2. These improvements made commuting safer and more efficient for students, parents, and schoolgoers.
Al Rebat Street
RTA extended Exit 55 leading to Al Rebat Street by 600 metres, increasing the number of lanes from two to three. This enhancement boosted road capacity to 4,500 vehicles per hour and slashed travel times from 10 minutes to just four minutes, a 60% improvement.
Nad Al Sheba
To facilitate smoother access in Nad Al Sheba, RTA introduced a new entry and exit for vehicles arriving from Meydan Street and converted the Latifa Bint Hamdan Street and Nad Al Sheba Street intersection into a roundabout. These changes significantly reduced congestion and improved travel times by up to 60%.
75 more enhancements in 2025
Building on the success of 2024, RTA has ambitious plans for 2025. "We are set to implement over 75 additional traffic improvements across key areas of Dubai. These upgrades will include expanding and upgrading major intersections, constructing new entry and exit points in residential and commercial areas, and introducing rapid traffic solutions in school zones,” said Al Banna.