Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened an 800-m-long tunnel – with four lanes in each direction – as part of the Umm Suqeim Street Development Project. The project covers 4.6 km extending  from the intersection with Al Khail Road to the intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

The project forms part of RTA’s ongoing efforts to upgrade road infrastructure in line with Dubai’s sustained urban and population growth, while enhancing traffic flow.

It serves several residential and development communities including Al Barsha South 1, 2, and 3, Dubai Hills, Arjan, and Dubai Science Park with a combined population exceeding one million, it stated.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, the completed project is part of a comprehensive plan to develop the Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor, which extends from the intersection with Jumeirah Street to the intersection with Emirates Road, spanning a total of 16 km.

“This development is considered one of the most important strategic projects for developing transverse east–west roads to enhance connectivity with vertical north–south roads. The completion of the project complements RTA’s efforts to upgrade this corridor,” he added.