New lane increases road capacity by 17%

Dubai. Roads and Transport Authority. 10th August 2026:

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a 2-kilometre widening on Sheikh Zayed Road by adding a new lane for traffic coming from Abu Dhabi, near Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station and heading towards World Trade Centre Intersection.

The widening increases the number of lanes from six to seven, raising road capacity by 17% and reducing journey time by up to 10% during peak hours.

The improvement forms part of a package of traffic solutions being implemented by RTA on Sheikh Zayed Road to enhance capacity, improve connectivity with the surrounding road network, and boost traffic flow on one of Dubai’s most important arterial and economic corridors.

Sheikh Zayed Road serves key destinations including Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre, Museum of the Future, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool. It also supports access to international exhibitions and events, facilitates movement between commercial and residential districts, and improves journey times for road users.

RTA also has recently opened a key second-level bridge under the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development . The 1,000-metre bridge comprises two lanes, has a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour, and serves traffic coming from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street in the direction of Al Karama and Deira.

The bridge enhances traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, reduces journey time from six minutes to one minute, and eases congestion at World Trade Centre Roundabout.