RTA announces latest upgrade in Sheikh Rashid Development Project

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the upgrading of Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets as part of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project.

The AED 600 million project connects Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Nawras Street and provides an exit to Oud Metha and Al Nawras Streets.

It entails the construction of four major intersections, 4,300 metres of bridges, and 14 km of roads and will serve Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha, Umm Hurair, Latifa Hospital, and Al Wasl Club residential areas. By 2030, the project is expected to serve an estimated population of over 420,000.

It will enhance the capacity of Oud Metha Street from 10,400 vehicles per hour to 15,600 vehicles per hour, marking a 50 per cent increase in capacity and will reduce travel time on the route from 20 minutes to five minutes.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA said the Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project 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 eight kilometres. 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. 

The upgrades have increased Ras Al Khor Road’s capacity to 10,000 vehicles per hour, reducing travel time from 20 minutes to seven 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.

The contract has been awarded following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to continue developing the Sheikh Rashid Corridor in line with the city's urban growth and population expansion and under the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.