The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has reported that 45% of the works for the first contract of Phase 4 in the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project have been completed
Covering a distance of 4.8 kilometres from the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street to the Falcon Intersection on Al Mina Street, the project entails the construction of three bridges spanning 3.1 kilometres. These bridges are designed to accommodate 19,400 vehicles per hour in all directions.
Mattar Al Tayer, director-general, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, stated, “Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which spans 13 km along Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street, aims to facilitate free traffic movement along the corridor, enhance the capacity, and step-up traffic safety.”
“The first contract of Phase 4 includes the construction of a 1335-metre-long bridge, with a capacity of three lanes in each direction, to ensure smooth traffic flow between Sheikh Rashid and the Falcon Intersection. The bridge has a capacity of 10,800 vehicles per hour in both directions. The second bridge extends 780 metres with a capacity of three lanes to serve traffic coming from the Falcon Intersection heading to Al Wasl Road with a capacity of 5400 vehicles per hour. The third is a two-lane bridge extending 985 metres to serve traffic coming from Jumeirah Street heading to Al Mina Street in the direction of the Falcon Intersection, with a capacity of 3,200 vehicles per hour,” Al Tayer explained.
“The project also includes constructing roads extending 4.8 km, improving surface intersections on Jumeirah Street, Al Mina Street, and Sh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, and constructing two pedestrian bridges on Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mina Street. Works also include street lighting, traffic systems, rainwater drainage, and irrigation systems,” he added.
“Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project is one of the largest projects currently being implemented by RTA. It involves the development of 15 intersections along 13 km and due to its scale, it has been split into five phases. The project serves Deira and Bur Dubai and development projects such as Dubai Islands, Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Mina Rashid. The project, which serves about one million people, is set to reduce journey time from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030,” Al Tayer commented.
“RTA is currently constructing Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, which extends from the end of the ramp of the Infinity Bridge in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej Street with Cairo Street. This 1650-metre-long tunnel has three lanes in each direction, accommodating 12,000 vehicles per hour. The tunnel facilitates free traffic flow for motorists from the Infinity Bridge heading to Deira and vice versa. The project also includes converting the intersection of Cairo and Al Wuheida Street from a roundabout to a signalised junction along with some improvements on Cairo Street and connecting the bridge ramp from Dubai Islands to the new Al Khaleej Street Tunnel heading northward,” Al Tayer said.
Further implementations
RTA has implemented various enhancements along the Al Shindagha Corridor, including:
- The inauguration of the Sheikh Rashid Road Intersection with Oud Metha Street (Wafi Intersection) and the Intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. This involved constructing two bridges on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, each accommodating two lanes in both directions, a bridge from Zaabeel Street to Sheikh Rashid Road with a one-lane capacity, and a tunnel on Sheikh Rashid Road at the intersection with Al Mankhool Street, capable of accommodating four lanes in each direction.
- The introduction of five bridges for access to Dubai Islands at the junction of Al Khaleej Street and Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, with a combined length of 2,571 metres and an estimated capacity of 20,700 vehicles per hour.
- The inauguration of a primary bridge on Al Khaleej Street spanning 570 metres, with three lanes towards Bur Dubai and serving traffic from Abu Baker Al Siddique Road intersection and Dubai Islands heading to Al Shindagha Tunnel, accommodating 4,800 vehicles per hour. Additionally, a surface intersection was established on Al Khaleej Street at the intersection with Omar bin Al Khattab Street.
- The completion of the Infinity Bridge, approximately 295 metres long, featuring six lanes in each direction and a three-metre-wide shared pedestrian and cycling lane. Topped by a 42-metre-high infinity-shaped arch, symbolising Dubai's boundless aspirations, the bridge serves as a unique architectural landmark.
- The Falcon Intersection Improvement Project, which involved constructing two bridges along Al Khaleej Street: a 750-metre bridge northward and a 1075-metre bridge southward, each accommodating six lanes in both directions, with a capacity of up to 24,000 vehicles per hour.
- The construction of a single-lane bridge for right-turn traffic from Khalid bin Al Waleed Road to Al Khaleej Street, spanning 250 metres and accommodating 1,600 vehicles per hour.
- A two-lane tunnel, extending 500 metres for left-turn traffic from Khalid bin Al Waleed Road to Al Mina Street, accommodating 3,200 vehicles per hour. The project also involved constructing a signalised surface junction connecting Al Khaleej Street to Al Ghubaiba Road and Khalid bin Al Waleed Road.
