Dubai to open bridge cutting World Trade Centre journey to 2 minutes
Three tunnels and wider roads are also being developed across the district
DUBAI – The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to open a new 500-metre, two-lane bridge on Friday, creating a faster connection from Dubai World Trade Centre and One Central towards the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Za’abeel Palace Street.
The bridge is expected to cut travel time from Dubai World Trade Centre from around 10 minutes to just two minutes during major events. It forms part of a Dh633 million road development project designed to increase capacity and improve traffic movement across one of Dubai’s busiest business and events districts.
The new bridge is being delivered as part of the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which extends from its intersection with Za’abeel Palace Street to Financial Centre Street. The wider project includes 2,000 metres of bridges and tunnels and the expansion of Al Mustaqbal Street from three to four lanes in each direction.
In line with the directives of the wise leadership to continue developing the infrastructure of the road network and public transport systems to accommodate the needs of urban development and population growth, while enhancing quality of life, #RTA is set to officially open… pic.twitter.com/4So6KkntGp
— RTA (@rta_dubai) August 13, 2026
Once completed, the project will increase the street’s capacity by 33 percent, from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour in both directions. It will also reduce journey time along the route from 13 minutes to six minutes.
Faster routes
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is being implemented as part of efforts to continue developing Dubai’s road network and transport infrastructure in line with urban development and population growth.
The project is also linked to the development of the World Trade Centre Roundabout, where construction is progressing rapidly and completion has exceeded 85 percent.
Several bridges have already been opened as part of the wider works. RTA is scheduled to open another bridge by the end of August to serve traffic travelling from Sheikh Rashid Road towards 2nd December Street.
The final bridge under the project is scheduled to open in October and will serve traffic travelling from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street.
The Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is located in a strategically important part of Dubai, connecting major commercial, financial, residential and events destinations.
It serves Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Za’abeel, Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, strengthening links between some of the emirate’s busiest districts.
The new infrastructure is designed to improve access to key business, financial and events destinations while supporting investment, trade and tourism flows.
Dubai World Trade Centre has hosted major international exhibitions and conferences for more than 40 years, including GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, WHX Dubai, formerly known as Arab Health, Gulfood and transport exhibitions.
The upgraded road network is expected to benefit around half a million residents and visitors.
Three tunnels
The wider Al Mustaqbal Street project also includes three tunnels with a combined length of 1,500 metres at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Street.
The first will be a three-lane tunnel on Al Mustaqbal Street towards Deira, with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour.
The second will have two lanes and allow left-turn movements from Al Mustaqbal Street towards Trade Centre Street. It will serve traffic in both directions towards Deira and Jebel Ali, with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
The third tunnel will have one lane and serve One Central, with a capacity of 1,500 vehicles per hour.
RTA is scheduled to open the three tunnels in February 2027.
Alongside these tunnels, the project includes the new 500-metre, two-lane bridge serving traffic from Dubai World Trade Centre towards the intersection of Za’abeel Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street.
Al Mustaqbal Street is also being expanded across a 3,500-metre stretch between Financial Centre Street and Za’abeel Palace Street. The road will increase from three to four lanes in each direction.
The works include free-flow links to improve traffic movement at the intersections of Al Mustaqbal Street with Exhibition Street and Trade Centre Street.
A new pedestrian bridge has also been constructed on Al Sukook Street, while existing intersections along Al Mustaqbal Street are being upgraded.
Urban improvements
The project also includes pedestrian, cycling and public-realm improvements as part of the wider redevelopment of the area.
Upgraded pedestrian walkways, a cycling track and decorative lighting are being introduced to provide safer and more accessible routes for residents and visitors.
The development will also create urban spaces designed to encourage community interaction and provide more vibrant public areas.
Connections between surrounding developments and Metro stations are being incorporated into the project to support smoother movement between road, pedestrian and public transport networks.
RTA said construction on the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is progressing ahead of the approved timeline, with overall completion exceeding 50 percent.
The project is being delivered alongside two other major infrastructure schemes in the area, including the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project.
The roundabout is a key intersection connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with five important roads: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Za’abeel Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street.
The World Trade Centre Roundabout project includes five bridges with a combined length of 5,000 metres. The existing roundabout will also be converted into an at-grade intersection to improve traffic flow.
More projects
The second major scheme being delivered alongside the Al Mustaqbal Street project is the Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which is scheduled for full opening by the end of August.
It includes the development of four major intersections, bridges spanning 4,300 metres and 14 kilometres of roads.
The project will serve service, residential and development areas with a projected population of more than 420,000 by 2030.
It is expected to reduce journey times from 20 minutes to 10 minutes, representing a 50 percent improvement.
Together, the projects are transforming road connections around Dubai World Trade Centre and neighbouring commercial and residential districts, with additional bridges and tunnels scheduled to open in stages.