Dubai Launches Major Road & Mobility Overhaul to Cut Travel Time by 2027
Thursday, 8 May 2025
Dubai is set to revolutionize urban mobility with an ambitious infrastructure masterplan targeting reduced congestion, enhanced sustainability, and improved quality of life for a growing population expected to reach 8 million.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, recently reviewed a transformative slate of projects led by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), designed to reimagine how residents move across the emirate.
226 Kilometres of Roads, 115 Bridges by 2027
The city’s 2025–2027 roadmap features 57 major transport projects, including the construction of 226 km of new roadways and 115 bridges and tunnels. These developments focus on eight vertical and 11 horizontal corridors, with major upgrades to key routes like Umm Suqeim Street, Al Qudra Road, and Hessa Street.
One of the largest undertakings, the Al Qudra Corridor, spans over 16 km and links Jumeirah to Emirates Road. A new 7-kilometre bridge and tunnel system will increase road capacity from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles per hour and reduce travel times by up to 46 minutes.
Hessa Street is undergoing a major transformation as well, with 60% of construction already complete. The route, which includes 9 km of bridges across four intersections, will see its vehicle capacity double from 4,000 to 8,000 cars per hour—slashing commutes from 30 to 7 minutes. A parallel 13.5 km cycling and e-scooter track, including dedicated bridges across Sheikh Zayed and Al Khail Roads, is also under development.
Smart Mobility & AI Integration
Progress continues on the Al Fay Street expansion, which will connect Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. Once finished, this corridor will serve 600,000 people and accommodate up to 64,400 vehicles per hour.
Dubai is also embracing smart technology. The RTA has deployed AI-powered monitoring and drone surveillance across project sites, reducing survey time by 60% and increasing efficiency by 40%. Time-lapse imaging has been introduced for round-the-clock construction oversight, minimizing delays by quickly identifying on-site issues.
In early 2025, several rapid-response traffic solutions were introduced on Sheikh Zayed Road—including dynamic toll pricing and flexible parking rates—leading to a 5–10% reduction in congestion and a 4% rise in public transport use.
Driverless Taxis & 20-Minute City Vision
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed progress on Dubai’s autonomous mobility vision. Agreements with three international firms will bring driverless taxis to Dubai by 2026, with data collection already underway. Trial zones have been selected across 65 districts in preparation for phased deployment.
This initiative aligns with Dubai’s long-term goal to have 25% of all city trips made via autonomous vehicles by 2030.
Meanwhile, Al Barsha 2 is becoming a pilot district for the city’s “20-minute city” concept. The neighborhood will offer residents access to key amenities—schools, clinics, parks, malls—within a 20-minute walk or cycle. It includes 17 km of connected pedestrian and bike paths, green rest areas, shaded seating, and smart mobility hubs with rental stations.
Expanding Active Mobility
Dubai currently boasts 557 km of cycling tracks, with 100 km under construction and 185 km in the pipeline. In 2024 alone, 47 million bike rides were recorded. The city now plans to name its cycle paths and partner with private firms to offer services and events, further promoting eco-friendly commuting.
From AI-enabled construction to futuristic transport systems, Dubai is laying the groundwork today for the urban mobility of tomorrow.
