A bridge under construction in Dubai. RTA

A new Dubai bridge that is set to open in October will help significantly reduce travel time during peak hours to just seven minutes, an official said. The bridge is part of the Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project, which will drastically cut travel time by up to 70 percent in key routes, said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This critical link between Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road will reduce travel time from 20 to 12 minutes during peak hours, a 40 percent reduction, and from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to Al Yalayis Street towards Jebel Ali Port from 21 minutes to 7 minutes, Al Tayer said. Construction of the project is 97 percent complete, Al Tayer said. The bridge that will be opened in October will connect the intersection of Garn Al Sabkha Street with Al Asayel Street. Spanning 943 meters with two lanes in each direction, it will handle up to 8,000 vehicles per hour. On Sunday (September 15), the RTA opened two bridges under the project. The first bridge spans 601 meters with two lanes, accommodating up to 3,200 vehicles per hour. It serves eastbound traffic from Garn Al Sabkha Street to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, providing a direct route towards Al Qusais and Deira. The second bridge, also a two-lane structure spanning 664 meters, eliminates traffic overlap from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to Al Yalayis Street and Jebel Ali Port. This bridge ensures a smooth traffic flow for up to 3,200 vehicles per hour, enhancing the overall road network efficiency. The Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project is part of RTA's strategic plan to develop east-west traffic corridors, supporting Dubai's growing mobility needs and accommodating current and future traffic volumes. "Upon completion, the project will enhance traffic flow and connectivity across key roads, reducing journey times for motorists traveling between major destinations," Al Tayer said. The project also includes road works spanning 7 kilometers and improvements to intersections, lighting, and drainage systems. ICA/Expat Media
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