Dubai is racing ahead with road and infrastructure projects through 2025 and beyond, aiming to keep traffic smooth for drivers and car renters alike. Massive highway expansions, smarter intersections, and high-tech traffic systems are in the works. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has a AED 16 billion plan (2024–2027) to add 22 major projects across the emirate. Below, we break down the key upgrades – from new highways and tunnels to AI-driven traffic lights and autonomous transport – and how they will impact your drive in Dubai.

Major Highway Expansions and New Routes

Al Shindagha Corridor & Creek Crossings: One of Dubai’s most ambitious projects is the Al Shindagha Corridor, a vast redevelopment of routes linking old and new Dubai. It includes the recently opened Infinity Bridge over Dubai Creek and a network of new interchanges. The RTA is now building a 1.42 km bridge linking Bur Dubai to the upcoming Dubai Islands, with four lanes each way. This bridge (due by 2026) will soar 18.5 m above the Creek and carry up to 16,000 vehicles/hour, providing a direct route to new coastal attractions. Overall, the Al Shindagha Corridor spans 13 km with 15 upgraded intersections, and is expected to slash travel times in that area from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes once fully complete. In 2025, the RTA also opened new bridges connecting Jumeirah and Al Mina streets with Sheikh Rashid Road (near Port Rashid), quadrupling capacity from 6,400 to 24,000 cars/hour and cutting local commute times from 32 to 12 minutes. For drivers, this means a faster, free-flowing trip between historic districts and the modern city – with the old Shindagha Tunnel congestion becoming a thing of the past.

New Bridges and Highway Links: Across the city, numerous links are being added to improve connectivity. In late 2024, RTA opened a 1,000-metre flyover linking Hessa Street to Al Khail Road in Al Barsha, part of a broader project upgrading four interchanges along Hessa Street. This flyover alone cut travel time from Hessa Street to Al Khail (a major north–south highway) from 15 minutes to just 3 minutes. By late 2025, all Hessa Street intersections (at Sheikh Zayed Rd, First Al Khail St, Al Asayel St, and Al Khail Rd) will be revamped, effectively doubling Hessa’s capacity to ~16,000 vehicles/hour. For residents and visitors in areas like Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Al Barsha, this means a much quicker drive toward Downtown and smoother access to Dubai International Airport via the Al Khail corridor.

New East-West Corridors: RTA’s plan also targets key east-west routes that traverse the city. One upcoming project is Latifa bint Hamdan Street, a 12.2 km corridor from Al Khail Road to Emirates Road that will include 8 km of elevated sections. Set to start by 2025, it will add capacity for 16,000 vehicles/hour and is expected to cut travel times by about 15–20% along this corridor. Further south, the RTA just launched upgrades on Al Jamayel Street (Garn Al Sabkha) – a 7 km route parallel to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) connecting areas like JLT, The Gardens, and Al Furjan. This project will build four new bridges (totaling 2.874 km) to create a mostly signal-free arterial road. Once finished, drivers can go from Al Jamayel Street to the E311 or to Al Yalayis Street in a fraction of the time (for example, E311 to Al Yalayis will drop from 21 minutes to ~7 minutes). This provides an alternate, less congested route around the Jebel Ali/Marina zone, beneficial for those staying in Dubai Marina or JBR and heading inland.

Routes to Desert Areas: Tourists driving out to Dubai’s desert landscapes will also see major improvements. The RTA is upgrading Umm Suqeim Street out to Al Qudra Road, a key route from the city (starting near Jumeirah) to the Al Qudra desert and lakes. Plans include new interchanges and bridges over a 16 km stretch, which will boost capacity by 50% (from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles/hour) and cut travel time from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes. Construction is underway at the Al Qudra Road–Arabian Ranches junction (near Dubai Studio City), where a 5-month diversion from June to November 2025 will allow a flyover to replace the traffic light. During this period, drivers to popular desert resorts and cycling tracks should follow RTA’s detour signs and possibly avoid peak hours on Al Qudra Road. Once finished, expect uninterrupted drives into the desert with new U-turn flyovers and a free-flow corridor between Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Dubai’s outer oasis.

Expo City & Dubai South: The far south of Dubai – home to Expo City and Al Maktoum International Airport – already benefits from infrastructure laid for Expo 2020. The RTA delivered 138 lane-kilometres of new roads and nine flyovers in that district, linking it seamlessly to main highways like Emirates Road (E611) and Sheikh Zayed Road via “Expo Road.” Driving from Downtown Dubai to Expo City is straightforward, and these wide new roads mean minimal congestion for visitors checking out Expo City Dubai’s legacy pavilions or events. As Dubai South grows, the existing road network can handle increased traffic – effectively doubling road capacity in the area to accommodate future tourist and cargo flows. In short, whether you’re heading to the Expo site, nearby theme parks, or catching a flight from the new airport, highway access is already world-class.

Smarter Intersections, Tunnels and Urban Upgrades

While highways expand, urban roads are also being streamlined with new intersections, bridges, and tunnels to improve traffic flow in dense areas:

• Trade Centre Roundabout Upgrade: In the heart of the city, the notorious Trade Centre roundabout (near Dubai World Trade Centre and DIFC) is being overhauled. The RTA has awarded a contract to replace this large roundabout with a signalised junction fed by five new bridges (5 km total) ensuring free-flowing ramps in all directions. This project will boost capacity by 30% (to 12,000 vehicles/hour) and is projected to cut delays at that junction from 12 minutes down to just 90 seconds. For anyone driving between Downtown, Zabeel, and Jumeirah, or heading to the Trade Centre events, this means a dramatic reduction in wait times. Completion is expected by 2026, turning a former bottleneck into a smooth interchange.

• City Walk Access Tunnel: Another welcome improvement for city drivers is the Al Safa Street upgrade, which extends from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road in the Downtown/City Walk area. A centerpiece of this project is a new 2.1 km tunnel giving direct access from Al Safa Street (coming off SZR) into the City Walk district. Currently, reaching City Walk or Jumeirah from Sheikh Zayed Road often involves winding through signals; the tunnel will provide a straight shot. This upgrade will raise Al Safa Street’s capacity from 6,800 to 9,400 vehicles/hour and shrink travel time from around 20 minutes to just 2 minutes. Once open, tourists can zip from the highway to City Walk’s shops and cafes in no time – a boon for those unfamiliar with the back roads of Jumeirah.

• Dubai Marina Exits: Dubai Marina, a high-density visitor hotspot, has historically suffered from traffic chokepoints at exit points. In 2024, the RTA opened a new free-flow exit from Al Seba Street (Marina) to Qarn Al Sabkha Street, adding an extra route out of the Marina area. This improvement was immediately felt – travel times for motorists leaving Dubai Marina have dropped by about 60% with the new exit. If you’re renting a car in the Marina/JBR area, you’ll spend far less time in gridlock when heading towards Sheikh Zayed Road or inland. (Tip: Follow the signs for the new Al Seba Street exit near Pier 7, which merges onto the improved Qarn Al Sabkha corridor towards Ibn Battuta.)

• Hatta and Outskirts: Even areas beyond the city are getting upgrades. In Hatta – a mountainous enclave popular for heritage tours and outdoor activities – the RTA recently revamped the Hatta Souq Roundabout on Dubai-Hatta Road, adding a service road and better flow to the town center. This cut travel times through Hatta by 60% and eased entry to tourist spots like Hatta Wadi Hub. So if you’re planning a scenic drive to Hatta, you can expect smoother traffic through the town. Smaller fixes like new U-turns, widened roads, and additional parking (e.g. 112 new spaces in Al Sufouh) are also being implemented across dozens of locations to eliminate local bottlenecks. These “quick win” projects – 40 of them scheduled between June and Sept 2025 – range from adding turn lanes to optimizing signal timings, all to make everyday driving more pleasant.

High-Tech Traffic Management (AI and Smart Systems)

Dubai is not just building roads; it’s making them smarter. The RTA is rolling out cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to manage traffic signals and incidents, aiming to optimize how traffic flows in real time:

• AI-Controlled Traffic Signals: In early 2025, RTA began upgrading Dubai’s traffic light control system to a next-gen platform called UTC-UX Fusion, which uses AI, predictive analytics, and even digital twin simulations. This citywide system will be active at all major intersections by mid-2026. What does it mean for drivers? The AI will analyze live traffic feeds and dynamically adjust signal timings to minimize waiting. By anticipating congestion and coordinating signals, the RTA expects to reduce intersection delays by 10–20% and improve journey times noticeably. It can even prioritize ambulances and buses to get them through faster. In practice, you’ll encounter “smart” traffic lights that adapt on the fly – for example, extending a green light if they sense a sudden buildup, or creating a green-wave when traffic is light. Dubai’s system will also support future vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication, meaning in a few years your connected or autonomous car could “talk” to the traffic lights. The bottom line: less time idling at red lights and a smoother drive across town, thanks to AI quietly optimizing behind the scenes.

• Smart Traffic Control Centers: All this ties into Dubai’s Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre, a state-of-the-art control room that now monitors 60% of the road network via cameras and sensors. The RTA has deployed video analytics (through a partnership with a Korean AI firm) to detect accidents or hazards in real time. For drivers, this means quicker incident response – if there’s a stalled car or minor crash, smart cameras will flag it and traffic managers can intervene or notify drivers sooner. The RTA’s AI strategy 2030 includes 81 projects in total, aiming for up to 30% reduction in travel times via such optimisations. So far, Dubai’s investments in smart tech are paying off: the city already ranks among the fastest in the world for commutes (about 12 minutes 50 seconds for a 10 km trip in the CBD, beating cities like Singapore and London). These new AI systems are set to keep Dubai’s roads efficient even as population and visitors grow.

• Smart Parking Systems: Hunting for parking in busy districts might become less of a headache. Dubai has introduced smart parking in areas like Deira and along Sheikh Zayed Road that provides real-time information on available spaces via electronic signs and the RTA app. Ground sensors and cameras detect free spots and direct drivers to them, cutting the time spent circling for parking by up to 30%. By 2025, more zones are being equipped with these systems, and Dubai has even moved to a dynamic pricing model (with higher fees during peak demand) to ensure turnover in prime parking areas. For tourists in rental cars, the advice is to take advantage of these smart tools: check the RTA Dubai Drive app or on-street smart signs for parking availability, especially in crowded areas like Downtown or beach parks. The city is also expanding Park-and-Ride facilities near metro stations, and many new multi-storey car parks are being built to absorb demand. Payment is fully digital (via Nol card, SMS or app), making the whole parking experience much more seamless than in the past.

RTA Initiatives: Autonomous Transport and Safety

Dubai’s future-forward vision means drivers will soon share the road with autonomous vehicles and benefit from other safety initiatives:

• Autonomous Taxis and Shuttles: Don’t be surprised if you spot a self-driving taxi on the roads in the near future. RTA has inked deals with leading tech firms (like GM Cruise, Baidu Apollo, WeRide/Uber) to trial autonomous taxis in Dubai. In fact, 50 autonomous vehicles are beginning pilot operations in late 2025, with plans to ramp up to 1,000 robo-taxis by 2026–2028. These will be cutting-edge cars bristling with sensors (Baidu’s Apollo RT6 model has 40 sensors to ensure safety). Full public service is expected to launch in 2026, aligning with Dubai’s goal that 25% of all trips be driverless by 2030. For now, human drivers might occasionally see an autonomous vehicle test-driving (likely in geo-fenced areas like Downtown or Jumeirah). They’re rigorously tested, so no need for alarm – but it’s a glimpse of a future where you could hail a driverless cab from the airport to your hotel. The city is also trialing autonomous shuttles and buses for first-mile/last-mile connections. RTA showed off an autonomous electric mini-bus (capacity 10-20 people) designed to ferry passengers short distances at 40 km/h. Dedicated lanes being added now will support these self-driving shuttles. In coming years, tourists may be able to ride in robotaxis or hop on a driverless shuttle at attractions – a novelty that underscores Dubai’s tech-friendly ethos.

• Dedicated Lanes for Buses (and Future AVs): To improve public transport and get ready for autonomous mobility, RTA is expanding its network of dedicated bus and taxi lanes. Six new bus/taxi lanes (13 km total) are being introduced by 2025–26, bringing the citywide total to ~20 km. These priority lanes (marked in red) let buses and cabs bypass traffic jams – boosting bus reliability by 42% and cutting journey times by 41% on those routes. For drivers of private cars, it means you should avoid driving in the red lanes during their operational hours (fines apply), but also that some road space is reallocated to move more people efficiently. In the long run, these lanes have a dual purpose: they “support Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy” and will be used by autonomous electric buses in the future. So, the bus whizzing past your rental car might soon be self-driving! New lanes are planned in key corridors – details to be announced by RTA – likely along congested stretches where buses need an edge. For now, this means better public transport if you choose to park the rental and take a bus, and overall less congestion as more people opt for faster buses.

• Pedestrian Safety & Smart Crossings: Dubai is also investing heavily in pedestrian infrastructure to protect those on foot. The number of pedestrian bridges and underpasses has grown from just 26 two decades ago to 129 today, making it easier to cross busy highways without risking jaywalking. Many tourist spots (Downtown Boulevard, Marina, etc.) have new footbridges or underpasses – use them, as traffic is fast-moving. Additionally, the RTA has rolled out smart pedestrian signals at 27 intersections (as of mid-2025). These crossings use thermal cameras and AI to detect people waiting or crossing, and automatically adjust the signal timing based on pedestrian movement. If someone is slower (an elderly person or a family with kids), the system senses it and holds the light longer so they can finish crossing safely. This is especially reassuring in school zones and tourist areas with heavy foot traffic. The smart signals also minimize car delays by skipping or shortening pedestrian phases when nobody is actually there – a win-win for safety and traffic flow. As you drive, watch for these crossings (often indicated by overhead sensors or cameras): always yield to pedestrians, as the signals will adapt to ensure walkers get across. RTA data shows improved safety at the sites with smart signals, helping reduce accidents. Beyond signals, Dubai is implementing lower speed limits in some communities and flashing slow-down signs near pedestrian-heavy zones as part of its Vision Zero approach to road safety.

Smart pedestrian crossing in Dubai: Thermal cameras detect pedestrians and adjust signal timing in real-time for safer road crossings.

Navigating Dubai’s Road Updates: Traveler Tips

With so many projects underway, how can drivers make the most of Dubai’s evolving road network?

• Stay Updated on RTA Announcements: The RTA actively posts alerts about road works, diversions, and project milestones. Before heading out on a long drive (say to the desert or across town), check local news or RTA’s social media for any updates. For instance, knowing that Al Qudra Road has a diversion until November 2025 can help you plan an alternate route or travel outside peak times. Major tourist routes like around the Airport, Downtown, or Expo City are well signposted during construction, so heed the temporary signs and speed reductions in work zones.

• Leverage Navigation Apps: Dubai’s rapid changes mean that maps are constantly being updated. Ensure your GPS app is up-to-date – it will usually reflect new exits (like the Al Seba Street exit in Marina) and new speed limits. Apps like Google Maps and Waze also incorporate live traffic and will reroute you if a road is closed or jammed. For example, if a new flyover opens or a signal is removed, the app will often instantly show a drop in travel time – take advantage and follow the new, faster path. On the other hand, if construction temporarily closes an intersection (as happened during some bridge builds), a good nav app will guide you around it.

• Avoiding Peak Congestion: Despite improvements, Dubai still has rush hours. The evening peak (roughly 5–8 PM) can see slow traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road northbound and other key arteries. With current works like those on Hessa Street and Trade Centre, some congestion might occur at choke points. The RTA suggests planning trips with some buffer time and traveling outside peak hours when possible during construction periods. Tourists can use this to their advantage – perhaps driving to attractions after the rush or using alternative routes (Dubai has parallel highways like Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Rd (E311) and Emirates Rd (E611) that are great backups if the main SZR is packed).

• Future-Proofing Your Travel: Many of the projects slated for completion by 2025–2026 will dramatically improve driving for the long term. Airport Access: Reaching Dubai International Airport (DXB) by car is already smoother after previous upgrades (like the expanded Airport Road and new ramps to terminals). With the Hessa/Al Khail improvements, those coming from newly developed areas have another fast route to DXB. Looking ahead, as Al Maktoum International (DWC) expands, road links to that airport are fully in place – highways around Dubai South were built to handle high traffic, meaning if your airline shifts to DWC, the drive from the city will be largely on uncongested roads. Expo City & Attractions: By the next big events, all surrounding roads (including the new bridges to Dubai Islands and improved interchanges on Expo Road) will be ready, so driving to exhibitions or new theme parks will be hassle-free. Keep an eye on RTA’s future announcements – for example, the planned Meydan Road extension will soon connect Downtown to Al Ain Road, cutting a drive that used to take 20 minutes down to about 4 minutes. Such improvements could open up new, convenient paths across the city that weren’t available to drivers before.

Why Renting a Car Makes Sense in 2025

With Dubai’s roads becoming faster, smarter, and more accessible, renting a car is one of the best ways to experience the city – especially in 2025, as infrastructure projects near completion and major new routes open up.

Here’s why car rental is a smart choice this year:

• Seamless Access to New Roads
  Rental cars give you the flexibility to use upgraded highways like the new Al Shindagha Corridor, Al Khail flyovers, or the expanded Al Qudra Road without relying on fixed public transport routes.

• Time Savings During Peak Hours
  With AI-managed traffic lights and faster intersections, a rental car allows you to avoid long waits and use dynamic routing via GPS. Navigation apps in modern rentals are regularly updated to reflect new roads and diversions.

• Perfect for Weekend Trips and Desert Adventures
  Planning to visit Hatta, Al Qudra Lakes, or Dubai Islands? A rental SUV or 4×4 is your best companion. Thanks to the newly upgraded desert and outer city routes, you can now reach remote attractions quicker and more comfortably.

• Airport Transfers and Business Travel
  Whether flying into DXB or DWC, rental cars provide door-to-door convenience and are far more cost-effective for multiple trips, especially compared to taxis or ride-hailing during peak events.

• Modern, Efficient Fleet
  Most rental companies in Dubai offer fuel-efficient, tech-equipped vehicles, including hybrid and electric models. Many are compatible with upcoming smart infrastructure (like connected parking and V2X systems).

Recommended Rental Companies

You’ll find trusted providers on RentRadar.ae, including:

• Avis – Excellent for luxury and business rentals with airport pickups

• Thrifty UAE – Wide selection of budget-friendly and family cars

• Diamondlease – Known for reliable SUVs and longer-term rentals

All listed companies offer transparent pricing, real insurance, and support for cross-emirate travel, including weekend trips to Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, or Abu Dhabi.

Dubai’s commitment to infrastructure means that year by year, driving is becoming faster, safer, and more enjoyable. By 2025, many roadworks will wrap up, unveiling a city with expanded highways, intelligently managed traffic, and even autonomous vehicles in the mix. For tourists and residents renting cars, these upgrades translate to shorter travel times and easier navigation – whether you’re cruising from the airport to your hotel, hopping between the Marina and Downtown, or adventuring into the desert. Just remember to drive defensively amid the construction, respect the new rules (like those bus lanes and smart crossings), and you’ll find Dubai’s roads very accommodating. With both ultramodern tech and concrete expansions, Dubai is ensuring that the “open road” is always ahead of you – inviting you to explore every corner of the emirate with confidence.