Dubai City’s trade centre roundabout set to get a significant upgrade
Project worth AED696 million
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an AED696.414 million payout for the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project, a key public infrastructure initiative to enhance one of Dubai City’s most crucial road traffic intersections.
The current traffic roundabout connects Sheikh Zayed Road with five major streets: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street, and Al Mustaqbal Street.
The project scope includes the construction of five new bridges spanning 5,000 metres and the transformation of the existing roundabout into a surface intersection. Construction work will begin in November 2024 and end in December 2026.
The trade centre roundabout’s redesign aims to significantly improve traffic flow, especially for vehicles travelling inbound from Sheikh Zayed Road to 2nd December Street and southbound traffic from Al Mustaqbal Street to Sheikh Zayed Road.
The project is poised to benefit numerous vital locations, including the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)—Dubai’s primary venue for trade exhibitions—and the Dubai International Financial Centre, a leading financial hub. It will also serve communities such as Zabeel, Al Satwa, Karama, Jafiliya, and Mankhool, positively impacting over half a million residents and visitors.
The enhancements are also expected to facilitate smoother traffic movement from Jumeirah and Al Satwa to Al Majles Street, connecting to the DWTC and DIFC.
The construction will include a two-lane upper-level bridge extending 1,000 metres from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, capable of handling 3,000 vehicles per hour. Additionally, two bridges will connect Sheikh Rashid Street to 2nd December Street, and two others will link Al Majles Street with 2nd December Street, each capable of accommodating 6,000 vehicles per hour.
The redevelopment of the trade centre roundabout is expected to double the intersection’s capacity, reduce traffic delays from 12 minutes to 90 seconds, and cut travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street from six minutes to one minute.
Mattar Al Tayer, RTA’s Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s RTA, stated that the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is part of a broader developmental strategy that includes the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, set to be awarded this November.
In parallel, Dubai’s RTA is advancing the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project, which involves upgrading four major intersections and building 4,300 metres of new bridges. This plan aims to cater to a projected population of over 420,000 residents in Dubai City by 2030, drastically reducing travel times and enhancing overall traffic efficiency.
Featured image: The Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project involves the construction of five new bridges spanning 5,000 metres and the transformation of the existing roundabout into a surface intersection. Credit: Dubai’s RTA
