Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed three major traffic improvements on Sheikh Zayed Road, one of Dubai’s busiest highways. These enhancements aim to increase road capacity, ease congestion and improve traffic flow in key areas, aligning with RTA’s mission to support Dubai’s rapid urban expansion.
Key Upgrades On Sheikh Zayed Road
1. Extended merging lanes near Umm Al Sheif and Al Manara Streets
To improve traffic towards Abu Dhabi, RTA has extended merging distances and added an extra lane near Al Manara Street in the direction of Abu Dhabi, increasing vehicle capacity in the area by 30%. This will allow smoother entry and exit, reducing bottlenecks in this critical stretch.
2. Improved traffic flow near Shangri-La Hotel and Dubai Mall
The second improvement targets the service road exit near the Shangri-La Hotel, close to the First Interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road. By expanding merging distances between the service road entry and the exit leading to Al Safa Street and Dubai Mall, the RTA aims to ease congestion and enhance traffic flow in this high-traffic zone.
3. Reduced congestion at Al Marabea and Al Manara Streets
By increasing traffic overlap distances between Al Marabea Street and Al Manara Street, RTA aims to shorten waiting times and enhance vehicle movement, especially during peak hours.
Abdullah Lootah, Director of Roads and Facilities Maintenance at RTA, highlighted the importance of these upgrades: “RTA places great emphasis on enhancing road network, with the Sheikh Zayed Road being a top priority. As one of the emirate's key traffic corridors, it serves as a vibrant economic hub, surrounded by residential districts and major commercial and financial landmarks, including Dubai International Financial Centre, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, along with a wide range of global corporations, banks and investment institutions.”
These improvements are part of RTA’s broader efforts to enhance Dubai’s road infrastructure and ensure smooth, efficient traffic movement for residents and visitors alike.