Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has awarded two contracts worth a combined AED 1.161 billion to develop Al Meydan Street, one of the emirate's key north-south corridors, with completion targeted for the end of 2028.
The project will deliver 3,700 metres of bridges and 17 kilometres of roads, along with cycling tracks that connect into Dubai's existing cycling network. It is designed to serve residential and development areas home to more than 500,000 people.
What the upgrade covers
Al Meydan Street runs parallel to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, supporting traffic flow across both corridors. The development stretches from the street's intersection with First Al Khail Street to Umm Suqeim Street.
Contract One covers roughly 14 kilometres of the route and includes converting the intersection of Al Marabea' Street and Al Meydan Street into a grade-separated interchange with four lanes in each direction. The interchange will include 1,600 metres of bridges with a combined capacity of 14,400 vehicles per hour in both directions. A direct link between Al Marabea' Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road will add three lanes in each direction, capable of handling 7,800 vehicles per hour combined. A 700-metre elevated link will also be built on Dubai-Al Ain Road towards Nad Al Hamar Street.
Contract Two covers the section of Al Meydan Street from its junction with First Al Khail Street, through Al Khail Road, to its intersection with Muscat Street.
Faster journeys, more capacity
Once complete, the project is expected to raise the capacity of north-south traffic corridors by 18%. Travel time between Al Manama Street and Dubai-Al Ain Road to Umm Suqeim Street is projected to fall from 30 minutes to 10 minutes, a reduction of 66%.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, said the authority "continues to deliver strategic projects to develop Dubai's road network, guided by the leadership's vision, which regards investment in infrastructure as a fundamental pillar of comprehensive development, enhancing Dubai's competitiveness and reinforcing its position as a leading global city in which to live, work and invest."
He added that RTA "follows a proactive approach to planning and delivery, focused on developing an integrated and highly efficient road network that keeps pace with urban, population and economic growth and delivers high levels of traffic flow and mobility flexibility. This contributes positively to quality of life and supports the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Dubai Economic Agenda D33."
On the significance of the corridor itself, Al Tayer said: "Al Meydan Street is one of Dubai's key strategic corridors, running parallel to and supporting Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. The project will strengthen connectivity across the main road network, provide alternative routes that improve traffic distribution, enhance traffic flow, and increase mobility efficiency between key areas."