DUBAI: If you’ve ever spent a bit too long navigating Umm Suqeim Street during rush hour, good news is on the way. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a major urban upgrade project that will transform the stretch from Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road into a smoother, faster, and more commuter-friendly corridor. The plan is part of a broader strategy to enhance roads and support the city’s rapid growth, and yes — it looks impressive.
The upgrade will not only boost traffic capacity but also improve access to key areas, cut down commute times, and create more liveable urban spaces. It’s not just about roadworks either. The Umm Suqeim Street upgrade brings new pedestrian walkways, a cycling track, and vibrant community zones — making it feel more like a city boulevard than a traffic zone.
Once complete, the road will handle up to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, cutting travel time between Jumeirah and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six. The upgrade spans 20km and links several communities including Jumeirah, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz — all home to over two million people.
Six major intersections will get a full makeover with four bridges and three tunnels totalling 4,100 metres. These include junctions with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Al Khail Road, among others. Think tunnels under Jumeirah and Al Wasl Streets, flyovers at Al Khail, and widened stretches where traffic usually bottlenecks.
Already, progress is being made on a 4.6km section between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, with more than 70% completed and a finish line in sight by Q3 this year.
But wait, there’s more — a parallel project is also underway to boost Al Qudra Road’s intersections, including new bridges and 11.6km of widened road to ease congestion around Dubai Studio City, Arabian Ranches, and Emirates Road. The Umm Suqeim Street upgrade is just one part of a larger, long-term vision to connect Dubai’s growing neighbourhoods traffic in smarter, faster ways.
So next time you’re stuck in traffic along Umm Suqeim, take heart: smoother roads are coming — and they’re bringing bike lanes and better views too.
