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Travel time cut: Dubai gets new bridge linking Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Karama, Deira
The new bridge will reduce travel time from six minutes to one minute, comprises of two lanes and has the capacity to accommodate 3,000 vehicles per hour
- PUBLISHED: Fri 27 Feb 2026, 4:09 PM
A new bridge opened on Friday, connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street towards Al Karama and Deira, reducing traffic time from six minutes to just one minute. The1,000-metre structure by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) comprises of two lanes and has the capacity to accommodate 3,000 vehicles per hour.
This is the third bridge that has been opened as part of the massive Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project undertaken by the RTA and will significantly improve traffic flow at one of Dubai’s busiest intersections.
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In December, two bridges were opened as part of the same project serving traffic movement from 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street.
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Trade center project
First announced in October 2024, the project will consist of five bridges and is expected to benefit more than half a million residents.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said that the project is one of the most strategic intersection upgrades in Dubai’s road network. “The intersection links Sheikh Zayed Road with five major arterial corridors: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street and Al Majlis Street,” he said.
He added that construction works are progressing ahead of the approved programme, underscoring RTA's commitment to strengthening road networks in the emirate. "Overall project completion has exceeded 60 percent, with three bridges already opened to traffic,” he said. “Works continue on two additional bridges serving traffic from Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street, and both bridges are scheduled for opening in October."
Five bridges total
The overall project includes five bridges with a combined length of 5,000 metres. It will also convert the existing roundabout into a signalised intersection to improve traffic flow. The upgraded intersection will serves several major commercial and residential areas, including Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre, Zabeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya, Al Mankhool.
More than half a million residents and visitors are expected to benefit from the improvements. Once completed, the project will reduce delays at the intersection from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds.
"It will enhance traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards 2nd December Street, as well as from Al Mustaqbal Street towards Sheikh Zayed Road southbound," Al Tayer explained.
"The project will provide free-flow traffic movements from 2nd December Street to Al Majlis Street, leading to Al Mustaqbal Street, serving Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre, and to Sheikh Rashid Street in the direction of Deira. It will enable uninterrupted traffic movement from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street."
