Hessa Street capacity to double; RTA awards Dhs689m contract for major revamp

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the Hessa Street Improvement Project.

The scope of the project runs 4.5 km from the intersection with Sheikh Zayed Road to the intersection with Al Khail Road, according to RTA.

The project will double the number of lanes on Hessa Street from two to four in each direction, and boost its capacity by 100 per cent to accommodate 8,000 vehicles per hour.

The project works also include constructing a 13.5-kilometre cycling track.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA said, “Hessa Street Improvement Project is an important project for developing the infrastructure of the roads network.

“The project serves several residential and development communities, such as Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha residential area, and Jumeirah Village Circle.

“The population of areas served by the project is expected to reach more than 640,000 individuals by 2030. The project will double the capacity of Hessa Street from 8,000 vehicles to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.”

Hessa Street Improvement Project to cover four main intersections

The Dhs689m project features revamping four main intersections along Hessa Street: Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road.

Al Tayer added: “The project includes the improvement of four main intersections. The first is the intersection of Hessa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road which will have a two-lane directional ramp passing over the route of the Dubai Metro Red Line to serve traffic heading rightward from Sheikh Zayed Road to Hessa Street Eastwards to the Emirates Road.

“The second entails upgrading the intersection of Hessa Street with First Al Khail Street by increasing the number of lanes on the existing bridge of Hessa Street from three to four lanes in each direction along with traffic improvements to the surface signalised junction.”

“The third covers improving the intersection of Hessa Street and Al Asayel Street by increasing the number of lanes from two to four in each direction along Hessa Street in addition to traffic improvements to the surface signalised junction. The fourth is the intersection of Hessa Street with Al Khail Road and includes constructing a two-lane directional ramp to serve the traffic bound Northwards to Al Khail Road in the direction of Sharjah,” explained Al Tayer.

Cycling track to be built

“The project encompasses constructing a 13.5 km track for bicycles and e-scooters measuring 4.5 metres in width, 2.5 metres for bicycle and e-scooters, and two metres for pedestrians.

“The track connects Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street, serving residential areas like Al Sufouh, Al Barsha, and Barsha Heights. It improves the first and last-mile connectivity by linking with the Dubai Internet City Metro Station along with commercial and service destinations in the vicinity,” Al Tayer added.

The new cycling track encompasses two bridges. The first bridge crosses Sheikh Zayed Road, and the second crosses Al Khail Road and measures five metres in width: three metres for bicycles and e-scooters, and the remaining two meters for pedestrians.

The geometric design of Al Khail Road bridge takes its inspiration from the surrounding environment.

Read: Dubai – Construction on these key cycling tracks 90% complete, says RTA

The development project on Hessa Street follows earlier projects undertaken by RTA including the widening of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, and the construction of a flyover to link Hessa Street, Al Khail Street, and Al Barsha to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

This bridge enables smooth traffic flow to and from Al Barsha via Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road ensuring a smooth traffic flow in all directions including the surrounding development areas.

RTA also built a ramp passing above Al Houdh Intersection linking Al Yalayis Street inbound from Jebel Ali to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

It extends 2.5 kilometres and encompasses five lanes: three lanes in the direction of Dubai and two lanes in the direction of Abu Dhabi.