Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Dubai Airports, has awarded a major contract to widen and upgrade the bridge that connects Airport Street to Terminal 1 of Dubai International Airport.
The project is designed to improve traffic flow, reduce journey times, and accommodate the airport’s rapidly increasing passenger numbers, which topped 92 million in 2024.
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The existing bridge, currently three lanes wide, will be expanded to four lanes through the construction of a new adjacent bridge. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, explained that the new structure will be built using an innovative system of steel box girders integrated with a composite concrete slab, a WAM report said.
This cutting-edge engineering method offers high structural efficiency and will allow the project to be completed within a short timeframe, all without diverting traffic on Airport Street or installing temporary supports under the bridge. This approach ensures uninterrupted traffic flow and maximizes safety throughout the construction period.
The total length of the bridge and its ramps will reach 171 meters, with the main span covering nearly 70 meters. Alongside the lane expansion, the project includes pavement improvements, upgraded infrastructure services, landscaping to blend with surrounding areas, and new street lighting to boost safety and visibility. Once complete, the bridge’s capacity will increase from 4,200 to 5,600 vehicles per hour, a 33 percent rise.
Enhancing Dubai’s road infrastructure and global competitiveness
Al Tayer reaffirmed the RTA’s commitment to continuously developing Dubai’s road and transport network. “Our goal is to enhance the efficiency of vital corridors and provide sustainable, flexible mobility solutions that improve quality of life for residents and visitors, while reinforcing Dubai’s status as a leading global hub for international events,” he said.
He emphasized that the bridge expansion is a key part of efforts to improve traffic flow between major routes and critical facilities, especially Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. The upgrade will increase street capacity, enhance safety, and shorten journey times during peak hours.
Complementary upgrades along airport street
The bridge project builds on previous RTA initiatives to upgrade Airport Street, which stretches from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Casablanca Street. These upgrades include the construction of several bridges and tunnels at key intersections, such as Al Rashidiya, Casablanca Street, Marrakech Street, and Nad Al Hamar Street, as well as surface-level junction improvements.
Additionally, new bridges have been built to provide smoother access to Terminal 3 and the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) complex, and to facilitate direct traffic movement towards Casablanca Street without stopping at signals. An alternative route now allows vehicles from Al Garhoud to reach Terminals 1 and 3 directly, while Casablanca Street itself was expanded from three to four lanes toward Al Garhoud Bridge.
Together, these developments are part of RTA’s comprehensive plan to ensure seamless connectivity to Dubai’s key transport hubs and keep pace with the city’s rapid growth.
