Dubai completes 18km Al Shindagha Corridor project for over a million residents (VIDEO)
New tunnel, intersections, and surface upgrades boost traffic capacity significantly
DUBAI: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed all construction phases of the Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project on the Bur Dubai side.
This milestone was marked by the inauguration of the fifth and final bridge at the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mina Street, significantly enhancing the emirate’s transport infrastructure.
The mega project ensures seamless traffic flow between Al Garhoud Bridge and the Infinity Bridge, extending to the Port Rashid area and the Waterfront Market, and vice versa. According to the RTA, the completed phases have already reduced travel time along the corridor from 80 minutes to just 12 minutes. Commute from Jumeirah Street to Infinity Bridge now takes five minutes, and a similar timeframe applies to the journey from Infinity Bridge to Al Mina Street and onwards to Al Wasl Road at the intersection with 2nd December Street.
Al Shindagha Corridor
RTA Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Mattar Al Tayer, highlighted that the Al Shindagha Corridor is one of the most ambitious road infrastructure projects the authority has ever undertaken. Spanning 13 km across Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street, the corridor integrates 15 key intersections and 18 km of bridges and tunnels.
Al Tayer confirmed that the completed infrastructure will benefit over one million residents across Deira and Bur Dubai. It also supports several major development zones, including Dubai Islands, Port Rashid, Dubai Waterfront, and Dubai Maritime City. Once fully completed, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time from 104 minutes to only 16 minutes by 2030 and increase road capacity from 6,400 vehicles per hour to 24,000 vehicles per hour. The projected economic impact from reduced travel time is valued at Dh45 billion over a 20-year period.
Sheikh Rashid–Al Mina upgrade
The final bridge within the Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Mina Street intersection development consists of five separate bridges, stretching 3.1 km in total length and handling up to 19,400 vehicles per hour. The scope covered a 4.8 km section from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street to Al Mina Street. The intersection enhancements extended to Jumeirah Street and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, along with the construction of two pedestrian bridges for improved safety and mobility.
The enhancements allow for free traffic movement from Al Mina Street to Sheikh Rashid Road and from Al Mina Street to Al Wasl Road near Al Hudaiba Awards Buildings. The improvements also ensure uninterrupted flow from Jumeirah Street towards Infinity Bridge.
Major completed works
Several critical intersection upgrades were previously completed under the corridor plan. These include the Oud Metha and Sheikh Rashid Road intersection, where a 700-metre-long, three-lane bridge now eases congestion. Additionally, at the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed intersection, two bridges were built, each with two lanes in both directions. Another single-lane bridge connects Za’abeel Street to Sheikh Rashid Road, while a tunnel featuring four lanes in each direction now facilitates travel along Sheikh Rashid Road at the Sheikh Sabah intersection.
Falcon Intersection
The Falcon Intersection – connecting Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road with Al Mina Street – features three bridges and a tunnel extending 2,575 metres, with a combined capacity of 28,800 vehicles per hour. This includes two major bridges along Al Khaleej Street (750 metres northbound and 1,075 metres southbound) supporting 24,000 vehicles per hour.
Additionally, a 250-metre one-lane bridge supports right-turn traffic from Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road to Al Khaleej Street (1,600 vehicles per hour), while a two-lane, 500-metre tunnel facilitates left-turn traffic towards Al Mina Street (3,200 vehicles per hour). A signalised surface-level intersection connects Al Khaleej Street to Al Ghubaiba Road and Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, improving overall connectivity.
Infinity Bridge & route extensions
One of the standout features of the corridor is the Infinity Bridge, recognised for its iconic arch resembling the infinity symbol. Towering 42 metres above the deck, the 295-metre-long bridge includes 12 lanes and a 3-metre-wide cycling track, with a capacity of 24,000 vehicles per hour. It stands 15.5 metres above sea level and offers a 75-metre-wide navigation channel to accommodate vessels entering Dubai Creek.
Construction of the arch required 2,400 tonnes of steel, making the bridge both a functional and architectural landmark.
Extending from the Infinity Bridge is a double-deck route that continues traffic flow from Bur Dubai to Deira via Al Corniche Street. The 1,700-metre stretch includes six lanes in each direction and connects seamlessly to Al Khaleej Street and Deira Wharfage. Surface roads beneath the elevated route feature two lanes each way and several signalised intersections to ease access to the Deira Waterfront project.
Dubai Islands connectivity
The corridor also significantly boosts access to Dubai Islands from both Deira and Bur Dubai sides. On the Deira end, five new bridges were constructed at the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Street, totalling 2,571 metres and supporting up to 20,700 vehicles per hour.
These include:
- A 472-metre, two-lane bridge from Al Khaleej Street into Dubai Islands (3,000 vehicles/hour)
- A 503-metre, three-lane outbound bridge from the islands to Al Shindagha Tunnel (4,500 vehicles/hour)
- A 647-metre, two-lane bridge for return access from the islands (3,000 vehicles/hour)
- A 362-metre, six-lane bridge to the internal road network (7,200 vehicles/hour)
- A 587-metre, two-lane bridge for southbound traffic into the islands (3,000 vehicles/hour)
A 1.8 km section of Al Khaleej Street, from Abu Hail intersection to Al Baraha Hospital, was also upgraded. The works introduced two signalised intersections, further smoothing traffic flow.
Tunnel and bridge projects
Approximately 30% of the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel project has been completed. The tunnel will span 1,650 metres, with three lanes in each direction and a total capacity of 12,000 vehicles per hour. It extends from the Infinity Bridge ramp to the Cairo Street intersection. Additional features include converting existing roundabouts on Cairo and Al Wuheida Streets into signalised junctions and connecting the ramp from Dubai Islands to the new northbound tunnel.
This tunnel is set to serve high-density areas such as Abu Hail, Al Wuheida, Al Mamzar, and key developments including Al Hamriya Port and the Waterfront Market.
Meanwhile, the RTA has also launched a new bridge project from Bur Dubai to Dubai Islands. Located between Infinity Bridge and Port Rashid, the structure will span 1,425 metres and include four lanes in each direction, with a capacity of 16,000 vehicles per hour. Rising 18.5 metres above Dubai Creek, it features a 75-metre-wide channel for marine traffic. The bridge will also include pedestrian and cycling paths and two elevators for accessibility.
Surface roads measuring 2,000 metres will connect this new crossing to the existing road network on both sides, supporting Dubai’s growing urban footprint and future infrastructure expansion.