Big Changes Are Coming to Al Safa Street to Cut Commute

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is turning the heat up on infrastructure upgrades — and this time, it’s Al Safa Street getting a full-blown glow-up. The goal? Cut travel time from 12 minutes to just 3, double traffic capacity, and smooth out access to hotspot destinations like City Walk, Coca-Cola Arena, and Downtown Dubai.

RTA just announced a massive redevelopment plan for the Al Safa corridor, complete with widened roads, smart traffic signals, lush landscaping, and urban spaces built for more than just cars — think bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and community boulevards.

“The project serves a vital district and is home to key landmarks such as City Walk, Coca-Cola Arena, educational institutions, residential and commercial areas, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA.

Here's What’s Coming:

• Street widening: From 3 lanes to 4 in each direction
• Length covered: 1,500+ meters (from Sheikh Zayed Rd to Al Wasl St)
• Vehicle capacity boost: From 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour

Two New Bridges, Two Mega Tunnels

And it’s not just a surface-level refresh. The project includes two new bridges and two tunnels with a total span of over 3,000 metres. These will ease congestion and enable free-flow movement across critical intersections.

🛣 Bridge 1:

• 4 lanes, 1,005m
• Connects Al Wasl St → Sheikh Zayed Rd/Financial Centre St
• Handles up to 6,400 vehicles/hour

🛣 Bridge 2:

• 2 lanes, 360m
• Serves traffic from Al Satwa Rd → Sheikh Zayed Rd
• Handles 2,800 vehicles/hour

🚇 Tunnel 1:

• 2 lanes, 1,005m
• For traffic from Sheikh Zayed Rd → Al Wasl St
• Capacity: 3,200 vehicles/hour

🚇 Tunnel 2:

• 750m, 2 lanes each direction
• At Al Wasl & Al Safa intersection
• Capacity: 6,400 vehicles/hour

Once finished, these enhancements will significantly ease traffic flow from Downtown and Financial Centre Street into the residential zones and hotspots across Al Wasl and Al Safa.

Part of a Bigger Picture

This isn’t an isolated update. On June 3, RTA revealed a broader 15-km corridor plan covering Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, and Al Wasl streets. It includes:

• Upgrades to six major intersections
• Five tunnels totaling 3,850m
• Lanes widened to 3 in each direction
• Vehicle capacity to increase from 8,000 to 12,000/hour
• Add-ons like boulevards, cycling tracks, and public spaces

The revamp supports Dubai’s Vision 2040, focusing on population growth, urban connectivity, and elevated quality of life.

So next time you’re heading to a gig at the Coca-Cola Arena or catching dinner at City Walk, expect smoother roads — and way less stress behind the wheel.