Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has awarded the contract for Phase II of the Hessa Street upgrade. Officials say the project will double road capacity along the stretch and slash travel times dramatically. Phase I of the work opens next month.

The new phase covers 5.8 kilometers between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Engineers plan to build two bridges and a tunnel. They will also revamp intersections and access ramps to smooth traffic flow.

RTA officials expect the upgrades to boost capacity from 4,000 vehicles per hour to 8,000. Average journey times should drop from 24 minutes to five. Around 650,000 residents stand to benefit in Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Barsha South, Arjan and Dubai Science Park.

Phase I wraps up in April. That portion features upgraded intersections at four key spots. New bridges connect major routes. Dedicated cycling paths now run alongside, with tracks built for e-scooters. The paths link neighborhoods to shopping districts, schools and workplaces.

Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director general, called the project a key step in Dubai’s road expansion. He said it matches the emirate’s population boom and urban growth. The upgrades also push sustainable travel options like cycling and scooting.

Hessa Street handles heavy daily traffic. Commuters from southern Dubai communities rely on it to reach business hubs and Sheikh Zayed Road. Congestion has plagued the route for years, especially during peak hours.

RTA launched Phase I in 2022. Contractors finished major earthworks last year. Testing begins soon on the new bridges and signals. Officials aim for full handover by late April.

The Phase II contract went to a local firm after a competitive bid process. Work starts immediately. Completion timeline targets late 2025, according to RTA statements. Budget details remain under wraps.

Al Tayer highlighted broader goals during a media briefing. Dubai plans to add 112 kilometers of new roads by 2026. Hessa Street fits into that push. It supports the city’s vision for efficient mobility amid a population nearing 3.7 million.

Cyclists already praise Phase I paths. Early users report safer links to Jumeirah Village Circle parks and Arjan malls. E-scooter lanes feature shaded sections and charging spots.

RTA coordinates with Dubai Municipality on side improvements. New sidewalks and green spaces will flank the route. The full project aims to cut emissions by encouraging off-road travel.

Traffic experts welcome the news. They note Hessa Street’s role in easing pressure on parallel routes like Al Khail. Similar upgrades on Umm Suqeim Street yielded 30% faster trips last year.