The Roads and Transport Authority opened a major bridge to traffic under the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project. The new structure spans 1.7 kilometres with five lanes in each direction and stands 12 metres high. According to the Emirates News Agency, the bridge connects vital routes and forms a central element in upgrading the local road network. RTA data places the overall project length at 4.3 kilometres of developed streets.
The development scheme also features a second bridge, two tunnels totalling 1.1 kilometres and four pedestrian bridges. Construction incorporated advanced techniques to limit disruption in the busy urban zone. A WAM report noted that the initiative increases road capacity along Oud Metha Street and Al Asayel Street while integrating improved intersections for smoother movement.
Dubai’s vehicle numbers have grown steadily in recent years, with the Dubai Statistics Centre recording more than 2.2 million registered vehicles by the end of 2023. This expansion has driven demand for enhanced infrastructure across the emirate. RTA assessments found that comparable road upgrades completed in 2022 reduced average travel times by approximately 20 percent in affected corridors.
The project cost 310 million dirhams and was delivered within an 18-month timeframe, the Emirates News Agency reported. Officials from the authority supervised each phase to meet international safety and quality benchmarks. The opening adds to more than a dozen major road projects the RTA has finalised since 2021.
Further elements include upgraded pedestrian facilities and intelligent traffic signal systems linked to the authority’s central control room. These additions aim to boost safety for all users while supporting higher traffic volumes. According to a 2024 RTA overview, the organisation manages a road network exceeding 13,000 kilometres that serves both residents and the millions of annual visitors to Dubai.
The Roads and Transport Authority continues monitoring traffic patterns following the bridge opening to optimise signal timings and lane usage. Data from the authority shows daily traffic volumes in the Oud Metha vicinity often exceed 100,000 vehicles. Similar infrastructure investments have formed part of Dubai’s broader urban mobility strategy outlined in the Dubai Urban Master Plan.
