Dubai RTA is increasing the capacity of Hessa Street with new major bridges and lanes

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened Phase One of the Hessa Road Development Project, marking a major milestone in the development of a strategic road designed to ease congestion and support the long-term growth of the city of Dubai.

The newly opened section extends from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Zayed Road with a length of 4.5km and includes the widening of Hessa Street, near the bridges at the intersection of Al Asayel Street, First Al Khail Street, and Sheikh Zayed Road.

The capacity has been expanded to four lanes in each direction, improving traffic flow from Al Khail Road towards Hessa Street and on to Sheikh Zayed Road.

Overall completion of the project has reached 90 percent, with remaining works on roads, bridges, intersection improvements, and bicycle tracks scheduled for completion in the second quarter of this year.

Hessa Street in Dubai

The Director-General of the Transport Authority, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors Mattar Al Tayer said that the Hessa Street Development Project, with an estimated cost of AED690mn ($188m), is implemented in accordance with the guidelines of the wise leadership to continue to develop Dubai’s road infrastructure network and meet the needs of continuous growth, urbanization, and population growth.

Al Tayer said: “It includes a major road infrastructure development project covering a number of residential areas and developments, including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha residential area and Jumeirah Village Circle.

“The population of the areas served by the plan is expected to exceed 640,000 residents by 2030. The plan will double the volume of traffic on Hessa Street, increasing the volume of traffic from 8,000 per hour in both directions to 16,000 per hour.

“The Hessa Street development project extends from the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road to the intersection of Al Khail Road with a length of 4.5 km.

“The project includes the construction of four main roads along Hessa Street and Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road, in addition to the widening of Hessa Road from two to four lanes in each direction.

“These works will double the volume of traffic on Hessa Street, increasing it to 8,000 vehicles per hour, and include the construction of a 13.5 km cycle track.”

Bike tracks

Al Tayer added: “This project includes the development of dedicated bicycle and e-scooter tracks that extend to 13.5 km, 4.5 meters wide.

“This development supports first and last mile travel with direct connectivity to Dubai Internet City Metro Station and key commercial and service areas throughout the region.

“The bicycle track has a dedicated bridge crossing Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, 5 meters wide (3 meters for bicycles and e-scooters and 2 meters for pedestrians), and includes a unique architectural design inspired by the environment”.

The project includes the development of four intersections:

• The first is the intersection of Hessa Street and Sheikh Zayed Road, where a two-lane access bridge will be built, crossing Dubai Metro’s Red Line and providing traffic turning right from Sheikh Zayed Road onto Hessa Street and heading east towards Emirates Road.
• The second intersection involves Hessa Street and First Al Khail Street, where the number of lanes on the Hessa Street bridge will increase from three to four each way, as well as improving traffic flow in the signal-controlled area.
• The project also includes the intersection of Hessa Street and Al Asayel Street, increasing the number of lanes on the existing bridge from two lanes in each direction to four in each direction, further improving traffic flow at the signal-controlled intersection.
• The fourth road, which opened by the end of 2024, involved the development of Hessa Street and Al Khail Road, where a dual carriageway was built to divert traffic from Hessa Street into Al Khail Road heading north towards Sharjah.