RTA opens key bridge connecting Hessa Street to Al Khail Road

emirates7 - Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has inaugurated a vital two-lane bridge, stretching 1,000 meters, to improve traffic flow from Hessa Street to Al Khail Road. This new infrastructure significantly reduces travel time between Hessa Street and Al Khail Road, cutting it from 15 minutes to just 3 minutes, ensuring smoother access to Dubai’s city center and Dubai International Airport.

RTA also reported that 54% of the Hessa Street development project, which includes upgrades to four major intersections, has been completed. The entire project is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, highlighted that the Hessa Street project, stretching 4.5 km from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Khail Road, is part of a broader initiative led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, with follow-up from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The project aims to enhance road infrastructure to accommodate Dubai’s rapid urban growth and population expansion.

The project includes upgrading four key intersections: with Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Road, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. It also involves widening Hessa Street, doubling its lanes from two to four in each direction, increasing its capacity to 8,000 vehicles per hour. Additionally, a 13.5 km cycling track is being built to promote sustainable mobility. The total cost of the project is AED 689 million.

Al Tayer further explained that the development of Hessa Street is crucial for improving Dubai's road network and serves several key residential and development areas, such as Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle. The population in these areas is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030. With the project’s completion, Hessa Street’s capacity will be expanded to accommodate 16,000 vehicles per hour.

The project involves significant work at four key intersections:
At Hessa Street and Sheikh Zayed Road, a two-lane ramp will be constructed over the Red Line of the Dubai Metro to allow traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to turn onto Hessa Street.
At Hessa Street and First Al Khail Road, the number of lanes on the existing bridge will increase from three to four in each direction, alongside improvements to the surface-level junction.
At Hessa and Al Asayel Streets, the bridge will be widened to four lanes in each direction, with upgrades to the signalized intersection for smoother traffic flow.
At Hessa Street and Al Khail Road, a two-lane ramp will be built to direct traffic from Hessa Street onto Al Khail Road heading north toward Sharjah.

Additionally, the project will 13.5 km of cycling and e-scooter tracks, linking areas like Al Sufouh and Dubai Hills through Hessa Street. The tracks will provide better connectivity for residential areas such as Al Barsha and Barsha Heights, improving access to key metro stations and commercial hubs. The design includes two architecturally distinctive bridges for cyclists and pedestrians, one crossing Sheikh Zayed Road and another crossing Al Khail Road. Each bridge will be five meters wide, with three meters designated for cycling and e-scooter use, and two meters for pedestrian pathways. The tracks will have a capacity for 5,200 users per hour, ensuring efficient use by both residents and visitors.