DUBAI: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a AED 600 million contract to develop Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets as part of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project.
The project follows directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with oversight from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
What is the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development project?
This project entails the construction of four major intersections, 4,300 metres of bridges, and 14 km of roads. It will connect Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Nawras Street, providing an exit to Oud Metha and Al Nawras Streets.
Key Features of Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development
- Four major intersections will be constructed, improving traffic flow and connectivity between key routes like Oud Metha Street and Al Khail Road.
- The project includes 4,300 meters of bridges and 14 km of roads, easing congestion and providing more efficient routes.
- Oud Metha Street’s capacity will increase by 50%, accommodating 15,600 vehicles per hour, with travel times reduced by 75%.
- The development will benefit 420,000 people by 2030, improving access to key areas like Zabeel and Latifa Hospital.
- New lanes and service roads will reduce congestion and improve road safety, optimizing traffic flow.
What are the upgrades?
The project features several enhancements:
First intersection: Adds a left-turn lane from Oud Metha to Sheikh Rashid Street, accommodating 1,800 vehicles per hour.
Second intersection: Constructs bridges to link Al Asayel Street with Al Khail Road, handling up to 6,000 vehicles per hour.
Third intersection: A two-lane bridge will improve traffic flow from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road.
Fourth intersection: Expands the current bridge from two to three lanes, increasing capacity by 50 percent.
How does it benefit the community?
This development will serve residential and commercial areas like Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, and Umm Hurair. By 2030, it is expected to accommodate a population of over 420,000. The project aims to reduce travel times by 75 percent, cutting the current 20-minute journey to just 5 minutes. Capacity will increase from 10,400 to 15,600 vehicles per hour.
The Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project
The Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project, of which the Al Asayel Street Development is one of the largest strategic road projects being undertaken by the RTA. In earlier phases, RTA developed Ras Al Khor Road from its intersection with Dubai-Al Ain Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, covering 8 km. It also constructed several bridges totalling 2,000 metres and the expansion of Ras Al Khor Road from three lanes to six lanes in each direction in addition to a two-lane service road on both sides.
These upgrades have increased Ras Al Khor Road’s capacity to 10,000 vehicles per hour, reducing travel time from 20 minutes to 7 minutes and significantly improving traffic flow and safety. The project serves several major development areas with an estimated population of 650,000, including the Lagoons, Dubai Creek, Meydan Horizon, Ras Al Khor, Al Wasl, and Nad Al Hamar.