Dubai Launches Dh2 Billion Latifa Bint Hamdan Road Project
New corridor to ease traffic, cut travel time, and improve connectivity across Dubai
Dubai has launched a Dh2 billion mega road project to reduce traffic, shorten travel time and improve road connections across some of the emirate’s busiest areas.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has awarded the contract for the 12-kilometre Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor Development Project. The new route will connect Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Al Meydan Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Emirates Road.
Read More: Beware of These Palm Jumeirah Road Delays
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. It will serve more than 650,000 residents and visitors and handle over 130,000 vehicle trips every day.
Travel time to drop from 33 minutes to 15
One of the main benefits for drivers will be a 54 per cent cut in travel time between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road. The journey is expected to go down from 33 minutes to just 15 minutes.
The project will also increase the capacity of Dubai’s east-west road network by 12 per cent. This should help improve traffic flow on major roads such as Al Khail Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Umm Suqeim Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
Seven new bridges and eight tunnels
The project includes 15 grade-separated structures. These include seven bridges with a total length of 2.3 kilometres and eight tunnels covering 900 metres.
Latifa bint Hamdan Street will be widened to four lanes in each direction. This will help the corridor carry around 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
RTA will also build a new road linking Al Khail Road with the extension of Latifa bint Hamdan Street. It will also develop parts of Al Meydan Street and construct a new interchange to improve access to nearby developments.
In addition, 12.5 kilometres of cycling tracks will be built. These will connect the existing cycling network from Al Qudra to Jumeirah.
Built for future demand
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the project supports Dubai’s plan to build infrastructure before future demand increases.
“Developing the road network is one of the key pillars of keeping pace with rapid urban and economic growth, supporting sustainable development, reinforcing Dubai’s standing as an investment hub, and consolidating its position as the best city in the world to live, work and visit,” he said.
Al Tayer said Dubai follows a proactive approach by delivering major projects ahead of growth needs. This helps the road network keep up with the city’s expansion.
Better connectivity across Dubai
He added that RTA continues to deliver strategic projects that improve connection between different areas, increase traffic efficiency and make travel smoother.
“These projects have a positive impact on quality of life and support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan,” he said.
The Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor will improve integration across Dubai’s main road network. It will also strengthen links between the eastern and western parts of the emirate, support current and future development projects, and help residents and visitors move more easily.
The corridor will serve several existing and new communities, including Nad Al Sheba, Al Barari, Dubai Hills, Dubai District One, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Living Legends, Majan and Global Village. It will also support residential, commercial and industrial areas along Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Meydan Street.
Part of major road upgrades in Dubai
This project is the latest in a series of major road works by RTA to improve mobility across Dubai.
In recent years, the authority has completed major upgrades on Umm Suqeim Street, Al Khail Road, Hessa Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Khawaneej Street and Sheikh Zayed Road. Work is also ongoing on projects such as the Dubai Metro Blue Line and other strategic road improvements to support Dubai’s fast growth.
The Latifa bint Hamdan project also builds on an earlier RTA phase that upgraded the western section of the corridor. That phase reduced travel time between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road from 12 minutes to four minutes.
Once completed, the new phase will finish one of Dubai’s key strategic road corridors. It will further strengthen the emirate’s transport network and support its long-term economic and urban development plans.
Major highways connected
- Sheikh Zayed Road
- Al Khail Road
- Al Meydan Street
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road
- Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street
- Emirates Road
Communities that will benefit
- Nad Al Sheba
- Al Barari
- Dubai Hills
- Dubai District One
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens
- Living Legends
- Majan
- Global Village
- Residential, commercial and industrial areas along Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Meydan Street
AI contributed to the creation of this article.