RTA marks progress on Oud Maitha Road project to increase 50% capacity

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced 60 per cent completion of work on Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street development project under the broader Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project.

The project enhances connectivity between Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street, while providing a dedicated exit to Oud Maitha Road and Al Wasl Club Street.

It will also "increase the capacity of Oud Maitha Road from 10,400 vehicles per hour in both directions to 15,600 vehicles per hour, representing a 50 per cent increase, while reducing journey time from 20 minutes to just 5 minutes, achieving an improvement of 75 per cent," highlighted Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s RTA.

The project is among key road infrastructure developments, encompassing the upgrade of four major intersections, including the construction of bridges spanning 4.3 km and roads extending 14 km, he added.

Upon completion, the project will serve more than 420,000 residents by 2030.

According to the RTA update, 70 per cent of the bridges serving traffic movements from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road northbound towards Business Bay Crossing has been completed, with works currently underway in preparation for its opening in the first quarter of the current year.

The contractor has also completed approximately 60 per cent of the construction works on the tunnel serving traffic from Dubai–Al Ain Road towards Al Wasl Club Street. Works are ongoing on the remaining road widenings and associated bridge structures, which are scheduled to open in the third quarter of this year.

First Intersection

The project includes the upgrade of four major intersections, starting with Oud Maitha Road–Sheikh Rashid Road intersection. Works include the addition of a left-turn slip ramp for traffic coming from Oud Maitha Road onto Sheikh Rashid Road towards Al Garhoud Bridge, increasing capacity to 1,800 vehicles per hour.

The scope also includes upgrading the service road on Sheikh Rashid Road between the existing bridge and Al Zahrawi Street exit, addressing existing traffic overlap and enhancing road safety for all users. In addition, the number of right-turn lanes for traffic travelling from Sheikh Rashid Road to Oud Maitha Road towards Dubai–Al Ain Road will be increased from two to three lanes, raising capacity to 4,000 vehicles per hour.

Second Intersection

The project also includes the upgrade of Oud Maitha Road intersection with Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street, through the construction of two bridges linking Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street. The first bridge comprises two lanes, with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour, serving traffic movements from Al Asayel Street towards Al Wasl Club Street. The second bridge comprises three lanes, with a capacity of 3,600 vehicles per hour, serving traffic movements from Al Khail Road towards Al Asayel Road.

In addition, the project includes the construction of a separate two-lane bridge with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour to accommodate left-turn movements for traffic travelling from Al Asayel Street towards Oud Maitha Road. The scope further covers the upgrade of the access road to Al Wasl Club, along with entry and exit points on Al Wasl Club Street, to address existing weaving and merging conflicts along the main corridor.

Third Intersection

The project also includes the upgrade of Al Wasl Club Street–Al Khail Road intersection, through the construction of a two-lane bridge serving traffic movements from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road towards Business Bay Crossing, with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour. The scope further covers the upgrade of Al Wasl Club Street, including increasing exit capacity towards Al Khail Road to two lanes, the construction of service roads in both directions, and the provision of dedicated parking spaces to enhance traffic flow and accessibility in the area.

Fourth Intersection

The project also includes the upgrade of Zabeel Palace Street intersection with Al Khail and Oud Maitha Roads. Works comprise the addition of an extra left-turn slip lane on the ramp serving traffic movements from Al Khail Road towards Dubai–Al Ain Road, increasing capacity from 900 vehicles per hour to 1,800 vehicles per hour.

The scope further includes the construction of a single-lane vehicle tunnel with a capacity of 1,200 vehicles per hour, serving traffic movements from Dubai–Al Ain Road towards Al Wasl Club Street, and contributing to the resolution of existing traffic overlap. In addition, the project includes increasing the number of lanes on the existing bridge serving traffic from Al Khail Road towards Oud Maitha Road from two lanes to three lanes, raising bridge capacity from 2,200 vehicles per hour to 3,300 vehicles per hour.