Watch: Tired of Hessa Street traffic? New RTA project expands lanes to double road capacity

Traffic in Dubai is set to move more smoothly as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opened phase one of the Dh690-million Hessa Street Development Project — a key upgrade that will significantly reduce congestion between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.

The 4.5km stretch has been widened to four lanes in each direction, with new bridges built at intersections with Al Asayel Street, First Al Khail Street, and Sheikh Zayed Road.

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The improvements will ease traffic flow for vehicles travelling between major highways and nearby communities.

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With 90 per cent of the project now complete, the remaining works, including road enhancements, intersection upgrades, and a new 13.5km cycling track, are set to finish in the second quarter of this year.

Here's how the development project will help residents:

• Double traffic capacity on Hessa Street, from 8,000 vehicles per hour to 16,000 vehicles

• Serve over 640,000 residents by 2030

• Connect major residential areas including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle

Cycling track, Metro connection

Dedicated cycling and e-scooter tracks will come up, with a width of 4,5 metres and a length of 13.5km. The track links residential areas with Dubai Internet City Metro Station, and commercial destinations, said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

The areas it will link are: Al Sufouh and Dubai Hills via Hessa Street and neighbourhoods including Al Barsha and Barsha Heights.

Pedestrian movement will get easier as the track will incorporate a dedicated bridge crossing the country's longest highway, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Al Khail Road. "The 5-metre bridge will designate 3 metres for cycling and e-scooters and 2 metres for pedestrians,” Al Tayer explained.

Watch a video of the development project, here:

How project will reduce journey times

By constructing additional bridges, the project will cut down travel times as traffic flow improves at key points. Here's how the four intersections are being developed:

• Hessa Street intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road: 2-lane ramp bridge will pass over Dubai Metro’s Red Line. It will serve right-turning traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road onto Hessa Street, eastbound towards Emirates Road.

• Hessa Street intersection with First Al Khail Street: Increasing the number of lanes on Hessa Street bridge from three to four in each direction.

• Hessa Street intersection with Al Asayel Street: Bridge lanes increased from two lanes to four in each direction

• Hessa Street intersection with Al Khail Road: A direct directional ramp with two lanes to serve traffic moving from Hessa Street onto Al Khail Road, northbound towards Sharjah. 

Salma El Omla

Digital Journalist

salmaahmed@khaleejtimes.com