Dubai’s RTA opened a new three‑lane bridge at Oud Metha.
The bridge can move 3,600 vehicles per hour and links traffic from Al Khail Road to Al Asayel Street via Al Wasl Club Street.
RTA said 90% of the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project is finished, and two tunnels are slated to open by the end of next month. The first tunnel will join the service road on Oud Metha Street to the Sheikh Rashid Road intersection for traffic heading toward Bur Dubai. The second tunnel will serve traffic coming from Dubai–Al Ain Road toward Al Wasl Club Street.
“The project is one of the key infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Dubai’s road network.”
— Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Roads and Transport Authority
Capacity boost and traffic flow improvements
The development will lift the capacity of Oud Metha Street from 10,400 vehicles per hour in both directions to 15,600 vehicles per hour, a 50% rise. Travel time is expected to shrink from 20 minutes to five minutes, a 75% improvement.
Earlier in the first quarter of this year, RTA opened two smaller bridges. One at the Oud Metha‑Al Asayel‑Al Wasl Club intersection carries two lanes with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour, serving traffic from Al Asayel Street toward Al Wasl Club Street. The second bridge at Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road also has two lanes, handling 3,000 vehicles per hour for traffic heading toward the Business Bay Crossing.
Future phases and wider impact
The project also includes upgrades to four major intersections, adding a left‑turn lane at the Oud Metha‑Sheikh Rashid Road junction that will raise capacity to 1,800 vehicles per hour. A new bridge for left‑turn movements from Al Asayel Street to Oud Metha Street will be opened alongside the tunnels.
Areas that will benefit include Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Metha, Umm Hurair, Latifa Hospital and Al Wasl Club. The population served by the project is projected to exceed 420,000 by 2030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the new Oud Metha bridge in Dubai?
The new Oud Metha bridge can handle 3,600 vehicles per hour, increasing road capacity and slashing travel time.
How will the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project affect traffic in Dubai?
It will raise Oud Metha Street’s capacity from 10,400 to 15,600 vehicles per hour—a 50% increase—and cut travel time from 20 minutes to five minutes, a 75% improvement.
What is the population that will be served by the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project?
The project is projected to serve more than 420,000 residents by 2030.
How many vehicles can the two smaller bridges at Oud Metha-Al Asayel-Al Wasl Club intersection and Al Wasl Club Street and Al Khail Road handle?
One bridge carries two lanes with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour, while the second bridge handles 3,000 vehicles per hour.
When will two tunnels open as part of the Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project?
The two tunnels are slated to open by the end of next month.
