A major upgrade reshaping everyday journeys
Commuters and residents moving through Dubai’s Trade Centre area are experiencing a noticeable change in their daily routines. With the opening of two new bridges at the Trade Centre Roundabout, a journey that once demanded patience and careful timing has now become significantly smoother and faster. Travel time through one of the city’s busiest intersections has dropped from around ten minutes to as little as two, marking a major milestone in Dubai’s ongoing efforts to enhance urban mobility.
The newly opened bridges form the first operational phase of the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project, a large-scale infrastructure initiative designed to ease congestion and future-proof traffic movement in a rapidly growing district. For thousands of drivers who rely on this route daily, the impact is immediate and tangible.
What the new bridges mean for drivers
The two bridges are now fully serving traffic moving from 2nd December Street towards Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street. Each bridge offers two lanes in both directions, allowing traffic to flow continuously without the bottlenecks that previously formed at ground level.
Together, the bridges span approximately 2,000 metres, creating a direct and uninterrupted link between key roads in the Trade Centre area. This connectivity has reduced delays not only for private vehicles but also for commercial traffic and service vehicles that depend on predictable travel times.
With the capacity to accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour, the bridges are designed to absorb both current demand and future increases in traffic. The result is a smoother driving experience, fewer sudden stops, and a noticeable reduction in congestion during peak hours.
From ten minutes to two: a measurable difference
For many motorists, the most striking outcome of the project is the dramatic reduction in travel time. Journeys from 2nd December Street to Al Majlis Street, Al Mustaqbal Street, and Zabeel Palace Street have been cut from an average of ten minutes to just two.
This change translates into more than convenience. Shorter travel times reduce fuel consumption, lower vehicle emissions, and ease driver stress. Over weeks and months, these minutes saved add up, giving residents more time for work, family, and leisure while contributing to a more efficient urban environment.
A strategic location at the heart of Dubai
The Trade Centre Roundabout is not just another intersection. It sits at a strategic junction where Sheikh Zayed Road connects with several major arteries, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Road, 2nd December Street, Zabeel Palace Street, and Al Majlis Street.
This convergence of roads makes the area a critical gateway between old and new parts of the city, as well as a key access point to business districts, residential neighbourhoods, and cultural landmarks. Improving traffic flow here has a ripple effect across a wide stretch of Dubai’s road network.
Part of a bigger vision by the RTA
The Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is led by the Road and Transport Authority as part of its broader mission to modernise Dubai’s road infrastructure. The full project includes the construction of five bridges in total, alongside significant upgrades to the existing roundabout.
With a total investment of Dhs696 million, the initiative reflects a long-term commitment to tackling congestion at one of the city’s most complex intersections. By separating traffic flows vertically and providing dedicated routes for different directions, the project aims to eliminate conflict points that traditionally slow vehicles down.
Progress ahead of schedule
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, construction on the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is progressing faster than originally approved. Nearly half of the overall work has already been completed, allowing for a phased opening that delivers benefits to road users without waiting for the entire project to finish.
The next milestone is the opening of a third bridge, which will link Sheikh Zayed Road directly to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. This bridge is expected to open in March, further easing pressure on surface roads and streamlining one of the busiest traffic movements in the area.
Two additional bridges are scheduled to open in October 2026. These will serve traffic moving from Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street, completing the five-bridge network envisioned in the master plan.
Big gains once the project is complete
When all five bridges are operational, the transformation of the Trade Centre Roundabout will be even more pronounced. Average delays at the intersection are expected to fall from around twelve minutes to just ninety seconds.
One of the most significant improvements will be for drivers travelling from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. What was once a six-minute journey is projected to take only one minute, creating a seamless connection between two major corridors.
These improvements are not just about speed. They also enhance safety by reducing weaving and sudden lane changes, and they support economic activity by ensuring reliable access to commercial zones.
More upgrades on the way for the Trade Centre area
The benefits of the project do not stop with the five bridges. Once the main phase is complete, further developments are planned to enhance traffic flow throughout the wider Trade Centre district.
A key component of this next stage is the development of Al Mustaqbal Street. The road will be extended from its intersection with Zabeel Palace Street through to Financial Centre Street, creating a stronger east–west connection across the area.
This expansion will include the construction of three tunnels with a combined length of 1,100 metres, a new 400-metre bridge with two lanes, and the widening of Al Mustaqbal Street from three lanes to four lanes in both directions. These changes are designed to complement the new bridges and distribute traffic more evenly across the network.
A more liveable city, one project at a time
Infrastructure projects of this scale often go unnoticed once they are complete, quickly becoming part of everyday life. Yet their impact is long-lasting. By reducing congestion, improving safety, and making travel more predictable, the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project contributes to a more liveable and sustainable city.
For residents, it means shorter commutes and less time spent in traffic. For businesses, it means smoother logistics and better accessibility. And for Dubai as a whole, it represents another step toward a transport network that can support growth without compromising quality of life.
As the remaining bridges and road upgrades come online over the next phases, the Trade Centre area is set to become one of the most efficiently connected parts of the city, proving once again how thoughtful infrastructure can transform the daily experience of urban living.
Do follow UAE Stories on Instagram
Read Next – Dubai Police Advances Inmate Rehabilitation During GCC Week
