Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a brand-new 1,000-metre bridge at the busy World Trade Centre Roundabout, promising a huge relief for drivers navigating one of the city’s most congested intersections. The new bridge creates a direct link from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, slashing travel time across the roundabout from six minutes down to just one.
This two-lane bridge can carry up to 3,000 vehicles per hour and marks the third major structure completed as part of the larger World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project.
A strategic upgrade for a vital junction
The World Trade Centre Roundabout is a key hub in Dubai’s road network, connecting five major roads: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street, and Al Majlis Street. According to RTA, when all five bridges in the project are finished, wait times at the intersection will drop dramatically—from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds during peak hours.
Two more bridges are under construction and expected to open by October 2026.
What does this mean for Dubai?
The project is designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly in all directions, including direct routes from Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street and from Sheikh Rashid Street towards Deira. The current roundabout will be converted into a signalised intersection, making traffic management easier during busy times.
The improvements are expected to benefit more than half a million residents and visitors, especially in major commercial and residential areas like Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre, and neighborhoods such as Zabeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya, and Al Mankhool.
RTA Director-General Mattar Al Tayer called the development one of Dubai’s most important intersection upgrades, aimed at easing congestion along the crucial Sheikh Zayed Road corridor.
With over 60% of the project now complete, drivers can look forward to even smoother commutes as more bridges open later this year.
