Dubai's RTA opens Hessa Street upgrade

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the Hessa Street Development Project between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, marking a major upgrade to one of the city’s busiest traffic routes.

The completed section stretches 4.5 km and includes the widening of Hessa Street, along with bridge improvements at four major junctions - Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Asayel Street, First Al Khail Street and Al Khail Road. The road has been expanded to four lanes in each direction.

Officials say the project will significantly improve traffic flow in both directions and cut journey times along the route from 15 minutes to just four.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the development forms part of wider efforts to improve road infrastructure, support urban growth and meet the needs of a growing population across key residential communities including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha and Jumeirah Village Circle.

He added that the population served by the project is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030. The road’s capacity has also doubled from 8,000 vehicles per hour to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

Hessa Street is one of Dubai’s most important strategic road corridors, serving several residential and development areas, including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle.
The population of the areas served by the project is expected to exceed 640,000 by 2030, and… pic.twitter.com/ADWwZYVCl9

— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 19, 2026

The project includes a new slip road above the Dubai Metro Red Line linking Sheikh Zayed Road to eastbound Hessa Street, bridge widening at First Al Khail Street, additional bridge works at Al Asayel Street, and new direct links connecting Hessa Street to Al Khail Road towards Sharjah and Deira.

RTA has also started Phase Two of the Hessa Street Development Project, covering the stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. That phase is expected to further double capacity, cut journey times from 24 minutes to five, and serve around 650,000 residents across ten communities.

The authority says the wider project reflects Dubai’s long-term transport strategy to improve mobility, reduce congestion and support sustainable urban growth.