The new plans were announced by the RTA as part of their plans to make Dubai more bicycle-friendly.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a new upcoming track that will connect Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street. This 13.5km track will span across Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, designed specifically for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, promoting a healthier and more environmentally friendly way to travel within the city.
Speaking on the project, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, stated, “This track designated for cyclists, scooter riders, and pedestrians is part of the Hessa Street Improvement Project currently undertaken by RTA, spanning 4.5 km between the intersections with Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.” He added that the project will include upgrades to four major intersections along Hessa Street, namely those with Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. Additionally, Hessa Street will be widened from two to four lanes in each direction, doubling its capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
The track will measure 4.5 meters in width, with 2.5 meters dedicated to cyclists and scooter riders, and the remaining 2 meters allocated for pedestrians. This new track will serve 12 diverse residential, commercial, and educational areas, providing a seamless connection to the Dubai Internet City Metro Station and other nearby hotspots.
The track will feature two architecturally innovative bridges with unique designs inspired by the surrounding environments. The first bridge spans 528 meters over Sheikh Zayed Road, while the second stretches 501 meters over Al Khail Road, enhancing connectivity and aesthetics for cyclists, scooter riders, and pedestrians.
The bridge over Al Khail Road features a design that replicates the path of sunlight, creating smooth lines and offering pedestrians and cyclists a tranquil escape from the street noise. As of now, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has not announced a completion date for the project.
The Hessa Street Improvement Project is a significant road infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity for key residential and developmental communities such as Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle. Key goals of the project include doubling the capacity of Hessa Street from 8,000 vehicles per hour in both directions to 16,000 vehicles per hour. Additionally, the project aims to improve four main intersections on Hessa Street to ease traffic flow and reduce congestion, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the city’s transportation network.
By 2030, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) aims to increase the overall length of cycling tracks in Dubai from the current 544 km to 1,000 km. This expansion will connect coastal areas like Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, and Marina to external tracks at Al Qudra, Seih Al Salam, and Nad Al Sheba via Al Barsha, Dubai Hills, and Nad Al Sheba. The expanded network of cycling tracks aims to encourage both residents and visitors to adopt cycling as a viable and sustainable alternative mode of transport, promoting a healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle in the city.
