Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a new 800-metre tunnel featuring four lanes in each direction, as part of its efforts to ease congestion and improve traffic flow on Umm Suqeim Street. The tunnel is a central component of the Umm Suqeim Street Development Project, stretching from the intersection with Al Khail Road to the junction with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
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The upgraded road network is expected to benefit more than one million residents across key communities including Al Barsha South 1, 2 and 3, Dubai Hills, Arjan, and Dubai Science Park, a WAM report said.
Improved connectivity across major corridors
“This project enhances connectivity between four strategic corridors in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA.
He noted that the tunnel increases Umm Suqeim Street’s capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and significantly reduces travel time between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, from 9.7 minutes to just 3.8 minutes, a 61 per cent reduction.
To improve efficiency and oversight, the RTA incorporated advanced technologies during the project. Drones powered by artificial intelligence were used to gather and analyse construction data in real time, improving decision-making and reducing field survey time by 60 per cent.
“Time-lapse imaging was also employed to continuously monitor construction progress, boosting monitoring efficiency by 40 per cent,” Al Tayer added.
Building on a decade of infrastructure upgrades
The newly completed tunnel follows earlier phases of the Umm Suqeim Street Development Project. In 2013, Phase I upgraded the segment between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. That phase included two three-lane bridges in each direction, one over the eastern street parallel to Al Asayel Street, and another over the western street near First Al Khail Road.
It also included two signalised intersections and three pedestrian bridges along Umm Suqeim Street, improving safety and connectivity between Al Quoz and Al Barsha.
In 2020, RTA completed a 500-metre bridge at the entrance to Dubai Hills and Al Barsha South. Built as part of infrastructure upgrades for Dubai Hills Mall, it also accommodates 16,000 vehicles per hour, matching the new tunnel’s capacity.
