Watch: New bridge expansion to ease traffic at Dubai International Airport
Terminal 1 access bridge to gain fourth lane
DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Dubai Airports, has awarded a contract to widen and upgrade the bridge leading to Terminal 1 of Dubai International Airport.
The expansion is designed to ease congestion, shorten journey times, and accommodate Dubai International Airport’s growing passenger traffic, which surpassed 92 million travellers in 2024.
The development also seeks to improve customer experience while reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a global aviation hub.
Bridge expansion
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, explained that the project will widen the bridge from three to four lanes through the construction of a new span. The design relies on an innovative engineering system that combines steel box girders with a composite concrete slab. This technique was selected for its structural efficiency and its ability to be delivered within a short timeframe, without requiring traffic diversions on Airport Street or temporary supports beneath the bridge.
The upgraded bridge, measuring 171 metres in total length with a main span of nearly 70 metres, will include improved road pavements, infrastructure service upgrades, and landscaping works to blend with the surrounding network. Additional street lighting will also be installed to enhance safety and visibility. The expansion will boost the bridge’s vehicle capacity from 4,200 to 5,600 cars per hour, a 33% increase.
Infrastructure development
Al Tayer emphasised that the bridge expansion is part of RTA’s broader strategy to continually enhance Dubai’s road and transport systems, improve the efficiency of key routes, and ensure sustainable mobility solutions. He noted that such projects help strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading destination for international events, while making the daily movement of residents and visitors smoother, safer, and more reliable.
The initiative specifically aims to improve traffic flow to and from Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passengers. By increasing street capacity and reducing travel times during peak hours, the project directly supports the airport’s operational efficiency.
Airport Street improvements
RTA has already delivered major enhancements to Airport Street in recent years, including upgrades from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Casablanca Street. Works featured the construction of bridges and tunnels at Al Rashidiya and at intersections with Casablanca, Marrakech, and Nad Al Hamar Streets. Several additional bridges were introduced, including a direct route to Terminal 3, another to the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) complex, and one providing smoother access towards Casablanca Street.
The programme also created an alternative route for traffic from Al Garhoud to Terminals 1 and 3, and expanded Casablanca Street from three to four lanes in the direction of Al Garhoud Bridge.