Dubai plans 1.6km tunnel to be built in Dh5.3bn project

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced plans for a significant new infrastructure project, the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Deira. The 1.6km tunnel, featuring six lanes, is designed to accommodate up to 12,000 vehicles per hour and will stretch from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp to the junction of Al Khaleej and Cairo streets.

This project forms a crucial part of the Dh5.3 billion Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which covers a 13km stretch including Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street and Cairo Street. The corridor aims to reduce travel times significantly, from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030, and will benefit roughly one million residents in areas such as Dubai Islands, Dubai Waterfront and Dubai Maritime City.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, said, “Al Khaleej Street Project, which is part of Phase 4 [of the Al Shindagha project], covers the construction of a tunnel extending 1,650 metres and encompassing three lanes in each direction. It provides a free traffic flow from the Infinity Bridge towards Deira and back".

Additionally, the project will transform the crossing of Cairo and Al Wuheida streets from a roundabout to a signalized intersection and include improvements to Cairo Street. This phase is set to enhance connectivity for the residents of Abu Hail, Al Wuheida, Al Mamzar and nearby development projects.

The first contract under Phase 4 of the Al Shindagha master plan was awarded in March 2023, involving the construction of three bridges along Sheikh Rashid Road, capable of serving 19,400 vehicles per hour. This follows several completed improvements under the project, including new bridges leading to Dubai Islands, supporting over 20,000 vehicles per hour.