Two of five bridges in Trade Centre Roundabout project opened ahead of schedule

The two bridges serve traffic from the 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street, which connects to Al Mustaqbal Street. They will reduce journey time from 2nd December Street to Al Majlis Street, Al Mustaqbal Street, and Zabeel Palace Street from 10 minutes to just 2 minutes, besides easing traffic density at the Trade Centre Roundabout.

The project, with a total cost exceeding AED696 million (US$189.5 million), includes the construction of five bridges and converting the existing roundabout into an at-grade intersection. The number of beneficiaries is estimated at more than half a million residents and visitors.

Upon completion, the project will reduce average delay at the intersection from 12 minutes to 90 seconds and cut journey time for traffic heading from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street from six minutes to just one minute.

The scheduled date of opening the two bridges was in mid-January.

Each bridge provides two lanes in both directions and has a combined length of 2,000 metres. They have a total capacity of approximately 6,000 vehicles per hour.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, commented: “Trade Centre Roundabout is one of the major intersections in Dubai, linking Sheikh Zayed Road with five vital streets: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street, and Al Majlis Street.

“The bridges provide free-flow traffic movement from 2nd December Street in Jumeirah and Al Satwa to Al Majlis Street towards Al Mustaqbal Street, serving Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre, as well as from Sheikh Rashid Road towards Deira. In addition, the project ensures free-flow movement via a second-level bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street.”

Al Tayer said work was progressing on the project ahead of time.

“Work on the project is progressing at a pace faster than the approved schedule, reflecting RTA’s commitment to facilitating residents’ mobility. Overall project completion has reached nearly 50 per cent and will initiate a phased opening,” Al Tayer added.

“In addition to the two bridges already opened to traffic, March will mark the opening of the bridge linking Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. Two further bridges are set to open in October 2026, serving traffic movement from Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street.”

The five bridges under construction will enable free-flow traffic movement in multiple directions. The project includes a second-level bridge with two lanes extending from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street towards Deira. This bridge is 1,000 metres long and has a capacity of approximately 3,000 vehicles per hour.

The project also comprises two bridges with two lanes in both directions linking Sheikh Rashid Road with 2nd December Street. These bridges have a combined length of 2,000 metres and a total capacity of around 6,000 vehicles per hour.

In addition, the project includes two bridges with two lanes in either directions extending from Al Majlis Street to 2nd December Street, providing a direct link between Al Mustaqbal Street and 2nd December Street. These bridges have a combined length of 2,000 metres and a total capacity of approximately 6,000 vehicles per hour.

The project serves a wide range of commercial, residential, and development areas, most notably Dubai World Trade Centre, which has been the region’s largest international events and exhibitions venue for more than four decades and hosts major global exhibitions and conferences such as GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, and Gulfood, among others.

The project also serves Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in addition to communities such as Zabeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya, Al Mankhool, and others.