Al Safa Street Expansion in Dubai: New Bridges, Tunnels, and Bike Lanes

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major redevelopment project for Al Safa Street. The works will cover a 1.5 km stretch—from the intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Street—and aim to enhance transportation accessibility and safety.

Once upgraded, Al Safa Street will feature an additional traffic lane, new sidewalks, and dedicated bicycle paths. Travel time along this segment is expected to drop from 12 to 3 minutes, significantly easing congestion.

The project includes the construction of two bridges and two tunnels totaling over 3 km in length. The first bridge (1,005 meters) will connect Al Wasl Street with Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Street, with a capacity of up to 6,400 vehicles per hour. The second bridge (360 meters) will link Al Satwa Road to the same directions, accommodating up to 2,800 vehicles per hour.

Additionally, two tunnels are planned. One tunnel (1,005 meters) will connect Sheikh Zayed Road with Al Wasl Street and is designed to handle 3,200 vehicles per hour. The second tunnel (750 meters) will intersect Al Wasl Street and Al Safa Street, with a capacity of up to 6,400 vehicles per hour.

This project is part of a larger RTA initiative announced on June 3, which encompasses Al Safa, Al Wasl, and Umm Suqeim Streets. It includes upgrades to six major intersections, the construction of five tunnels totaling nearly 3.9 km, and the expansion of roads to three lanes in each direction.

The total length of the upgraded corridor will be 15 km. Upon completion, the road capacity is expected to increase from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour, with average travel time cut in half. The project also includes new pedestrian and public spaces to enhance urban comfort and livability.