Dubai's RTA announces major Umm Suqeim Street upgrade

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday an integrated urban project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road.

The project is designed to enhance traffic flow, address the demands of urban expansion and population growth, and to improve the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors.

It complements works currently underway to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, ultimately enabling uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a total distance of 20 kilometres.

The project goes beyond traditional road widening and development by integrating creative and aesthetic enhancements into the surrounding urban landscape. It features upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and complete streets (boulevards), alongside vibrant urban spaces designed to foster community interaction and create inclusive, dynamic environments.

It also establishes a direct link between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities through targeted improvements that ensure smooth, integrated, and seamless access between these areas and the metro.

The project forms part of a master plan developed by RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, including enhancements to Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street , and Al Safa Street, details of which will be announced in due course.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, stated, “The project enhances connectivity across four strategic transport corridors in Dubai—Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road.

"It will increase Umm Suqeim Street’s capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly improve traffic flow, and reduce travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six. The upgraded corridor will directly serve vital residential and development areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz; home to more than two million residents.”

Development of Six Key Intersections

Mattar Al Tayer noted “the project entails the upgrade of six key intersections along Umm Suqeim Street, specifically those with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. The scope includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, with a total combined length of 4,100 metres.

“At the intersection with Jumeirah Street, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction will be constructed, complemented by a signalised surface-level junction. A second tunnel, comprising two lanes, will be constructed at the intersection with Al Wasl Street  to facilitate traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Jumeirah Street, while maintaining uninterrupted surface traffic in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road.

“At its intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road, two bridges will be constructed to eliminate traffic overlap and enhance movement efficiency. A tunnel will also be developed at the intersection with First Al Khail Street to accommodate traffic coming from Al Barsha towards Sheikh Zayed Road, along with associated surface-level improvements.

“Additional enhancements include widening the stretch between First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street by adding one lane in each direction, increasing capacity to four lanes per direction. At Al Khail Road, the works involve the construction and widening of two flyovers—one connecting Al Khail Road with Al Quoz Industrial Area, and the other facilitating traffic from Umm Suqeim Street to Al Khail Road heading towards Deira.”

Phased Construction Underway

RTA is currently advancing works on a 4.6-kilometre section of Umm Suqeim Street, stretching from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This phase includes the redevelopment of the intersection at Al Barsha South, near Kings’ School, through the construction of an 800-metre tunnel comprising four lanes in each direction, along with a signalised surface-level intersection. Works have surpassed 70 per cent completion, with the opening scheduled for the third quarter of this year.