Dubai’s RTA has widened Sheikh Zayed Road near Umm Al Sheif exit, boosting capacity by 16% to ease evening congestion.
DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed a key road-widening project on Sheikh Zayed Road, near the Umm Al Sheif Street exit, aimed at reducing congestion and improving daily traffic flow.
The project added an extra lane, increasing the number from six to seven over a 700-metre stretch. This upgrade boosts the road’s capacity by 16 per cent, allowing it to handle up to 14,000 vehicles per hour. The enhancement is expected to significantly ease bottlenecks, particularly during evening peak hours, by streamlining the flow of vehicles entering Dubai from Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Zayed Road is a lifeline of Dubai’s road network. It connects several major residential areas, educational institutions, and economic landmarks, including DIFC, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall. The highway also hosts major businesses, financial institutions, hotels, and retail destinations, underlining its dual role as a commercial and commuter corridor.
According to RTA, the road upgrade specifically targets traffic congestion caused by overlapping lanes at the Umm Al Sheif junction. By eliminating these conflict points, the project enhances both safety and journey reliability.
This road-widening project is part of RTA’s ongoing citywide initiative to optimise traffic flow, enhance transport infrastructure, and deliver a seamless travel experience for all road users. It also aligns with Dubai’s long-term urban planning and mobility goals under the city’s Smart Transport Strategy.
With growing vehicle numbers and an expanding urban footprint, strategic road upgrades like this are vital to maintaining efficient transport systems across the emirate.
