Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Development Project to traffic after three years of staged construction. The Dh2.8-billion scheme adds 14 kilometres of new roads, four rebuilt intersections, two tunnels and five new bridges that together lift corridor capacity from 10,400 to 15,600 vehicles per hour and cut the peak-hour trip between Oud Maitha and Business Bay Crossing from 20 minutes to just five. Situated at the confluence of several key arterial routes, the upgrade is part of RTA’s 2040 Mobility Masterplan, which aims to keep average Dubai commuter trips under 30 minutes despite rapid population growth. Project designers prioritised grade separation: a new left-turn bridge from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road carries 3,600 vehicles an hour, while a single-lane tunnel channels traffic from Dubai-Al Ain Road directly onto Oud Maitha’s service road, eliminating a notorious weaving conflict. For business travelers, logistics fleets and ride-hailing operators, the additional capacity promises immediate savings. RTA modelling suggests an annual reduction of 11,000 tonnes of CO₂ thanks to smoother flow. The corridor also improves access to Latifa Hospital, Al Wasl Club and Dubai Creek tourist districts, easing airport-hotel transfers during large events. Looking ahead, Oud Maitha Road will be tied into the future Blue Line driverless metro extension and a planned express bus corridor, giving companies multimodal options for staff shuttles. RTA Director-General Mattar Al Tayer said the project “anticipates rather than reacts to demand,” noting that the population of surrounding districts is projected to exceed 420,000 by 2030. Firms planning new offices in Dubai’s central corridor can now model commute times with far greater certainty.
Source: Khaleej Times
