Dubai Unveils Massive 1.65km Al Khaleej Street Tunnel to Revolutionize Deira Traffic Flow

Dubai has inaugurated a new 1.65-kilometer tunnel on Al Khaleej Street, a significant development aimed at alleviating traffic congestion between the Infinity Bridge and Deira. The tunnel, announced by the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), features three lanes in each direction and boasts a capacity to handle up to 12,000 vehicles per hour. This new infrastructure allows motorists to bypass traffic signals entirely, enabling seamless travel from the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira all the way to the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street.

The RTA, which recently received the Dubai-it Award for its rapid project delivery, anticipates that the new route will substantially improve accessibility to key residential and commercial hubs, including Abu Hail, Al Wuheida, and Al Mamzar. It will also enhance connectivity to Dubai Islands, Waterfront Market, and Al Hamriya Port. Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, highlighted the opening as a crucial step in optimizing traffic flow across one of Dubai's most vital road networks. He stated, "The project will enhance traffic flow along Al Khaleej Street, provide free-flowing traffic for motorists travelling from Infinity Bridge towards Deira and Al Mamzar and vice versa, and strengthen connectivity between residential areas, commercial centres and tourist destinations."

Further enhancements to the road network include the replacement of roundabouts on Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street with signal-controlled intersections, alongside improvements to Cairo Street itself. A dedicated ramp from Dubai Islands will also provide direct access to the new tunnel, leading towards Al Mamzar.

This tunnel is an integral part of the broader Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, a comprehensive 13km road development initiative that spans Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street. The project encompasses upgrades to 15 intersections and is projected to benefit approximately one million residents across areas such as Dubai Islands, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid. Upon completion of the entire corridor improvements, travel times are expected to dramatically decrease from the current one hour and 44 minutes to a mere 16 minutes by 2030.

Construction on the Bur Dubai section of the corridor was finalized in 2025, while work continues on a new bridge designed to link Dubai Islands directly to Bur Dubai. This 1.4km bridge will traverse Dubai Creek between the Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid redevelopment area, featuring four lanes in each direction and a capacity for up to 16,000 vehicles per hour. It will also incorporate a dedicated route for pedestrians and cyclists, complete with access lifts on both sides.

Adding an artistic touch, the new Al Khaleej Street tunnel showcases a large mosaic mural created by Emirati artist Maryam Al Hathboor. This intricate artwork, composed of 36 million mosaic pieces, beautifully illustrates Dubai's skyline and iconic landmarks, including the Infinity Bridge, employing a style reminiscent of banknote illustrations. The RTA explained that the design aims to symbolize the city's progress and commercial heritage, with the mosaic materials selected for their longevity.

The construction of the tunnel was a monumental effort, involving 2,200 engineers, technicians, and workers, accumulating nearly 11 million working hours without any reported injuries. Additionally, the RTA reported that approximately 77% of the 522,000 cubic meters of excavated material was successfully repurposed for other projects.