Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a five-year plan to construct 31 pedestrian bridges and tunnels across key locations in the emirate by 2030, expanding infrastructure aimed at improving road safety and pedestrian connectivity.
The programme, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, will focus on major corridors including Sheikh Zayed Road, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Al Ittihad Road and Omar bin Al Khattab Street. According to the RTA, project locations were selected following technical and field studies that assessed population density, surrounding land use, proximity to economic and tourism destinations, and links to public transport networks.
The announcement was made by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, who said: “Existing and planned pedestrian bridges form an integrated pathway network linking residential communities across Dubai with key destinations and encouraging residents to use sustainable soft mobility modes for first and last-mile journeys. Pedestrian bridges and tunnels have played a significant role in enhancing traffic safety, with the pedestrian fatality rate falling from 9.5 deaths per 100,000 population in 2007 to 0.22 deaths in 2025, a decline of 98%.”
“They have also contributed to measurable gains across key indicators, with residents’ satisfaction with Dubai’s pedestrian infrastructure reaching 88%, pedestrian trips increasing from 307 million in 2023 to 326 million in 2025, a rise of 6%, and cycling trips increasing from 46.6 million in 2024 to 57.3 million in 2025, a rise of 23%.”
Alongside the new plan, RTA highlighted the recent completion of three pedestrian and cycling bridges. Two of the structures were built on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, connecting cycling and pedestrian routes through Al Sufouh, Dubai Internet City, Barsha Heights, Al Barsha 3 and Dubai Hills. A third bridge was completed on Al Manara Street within Al Quoz Creative Zone.
Three additional bridges are currently under construction. Among the largest is a 730-metre pedestrian and cycling bridge crossing Dubai to Al Ain Road, linking Liwan with Dubai Silicon Oasis. Another 554-metre bridge on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road will connect Muhaisnah 1 with Al Twar and provide access towards Al Mamzar. Both projects are expected to improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users.
The remaining bridge under construction forms part of the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project in Dubai’s central business district. Completion of the three projects is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
The bridge expansion programme forms part of the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy, which seeks to reduce road fatalities and strengthen the emirate’s position among the world's leading cities for transport safety. RTA said future pedestrian crossings will be equipped with safety and monitoring systems, while selected structures will include dedicated cycling tracks and bicycle parking facilities.