Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will open the final bridge of the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project on Friday, 30 October 2026. Once it opens, all major works on the project will be finished: five bridges with a combined length of 5 kilometres, at a cost of more than AED 696 million. The RTA announced the date on 25 October 2026.
The World Trade Centre Roundabout is where Sheikh Zayed Road begins, and it is one of the busiest junctions in the city. It links Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Za'abeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool. Faster journeys here matter to anyone who owns, rents or is looking to buy in these areas.
Credit: Dubai Media Office
World Trade Centre Roundabout Project: Key Facts
| Final bridge opens | Friday, 30 October 2026 (RTA) |
|---|---|
| Final bridge | 1,000 metres, two lanes, about 3,000 vehicles per hour, from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street |
| Journey time saved | Al Majlis Street to 2nd December Street: from 6 minutes to 1 minute |
| Average delay at the junction | From 12 minutes to 90 seconds (RTA) |
| Whole project | Five bridges, 5,000 metres in total. The old roundabout is now an at-grade intersection |
| Cost | More than AED 696 million |
| People served | More than 500,000 residents and visitors (RTA estimate) |
| Areas served | Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Za'abeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool |
| Next project | Al Mustaqbal Street Development, due for completion in 2027 |
What Opens on 30 October
The new bridge carries traffic from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street. Al Majlis Street leads to Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai World Trade Centre and DIFC, and 2nd December Street runs into Al Satwa and Jumeirah. The RTA says this trip will drop from about six minutes to one minute.
"The project involves converting the former roundabout into an at-grade intersection, improving traffic flow on Sheikh Zayed Road and enhancing connectivity between the emirate's leading economic and commercial centres," said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
The Five Bridges
The junction connects Sheikh Zayed Road with five main streets: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street, Za'abeel Palace Street and Al Majlis Street. Here's what the project built, based on the RTA's description:
| Bridge | Length | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Second-level bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street towards Deira | 1 km, two lanes | 3,000 vehicles per hour |
| Two bridges linking Sheikh Rashid Street with 2nd December Street | 2 km combined, two lanes each way | Up to 6,000 vehicles per hour |
| Two bridges linking Al Majlis Street with 2nd December Street (the last one opens 30 October) | 2 km combined, two lanes each way | About 6,000 vehicles per hour |
Together, the bridges keep traffic moving from 2nd December Street towards Al Majlis Street, DWTC and DIFC, and from Sheikh Zayed Road towards 2nd December Street and Deira. Traffic from Al Mustaqbal Street heading south on Sheikh Zayed Road also gets an easier route.
Credit: Dubai Media Office
Next: Al Mustaqbal Street, Due in 2027
The RTA says the roundabout project goes hand in hand with the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which is scheduled for completion in 2027. That project adds bridges and tunnels totalling 1,500 metres and widens the street to four lanes in each direction. That raises capacity by 33%, from about 9,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour. The works cover the stretch between Za'abeel Palace Street and Financial Centre Street.
Why It Matters for Property Owners, Tenants and Buyers
Easier access to Dubai's main business addresses. DWTC and DIFC are two of the city's biggest employment hubs, and Sheikh Zayed Road is Dubai's main office corridor. Shorter, more reliable commutes into this area help office occupiers and landlords. They also suit the professionals who rent nearby.
Older central neighbourhoods get better links. Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool are established areas with strong rental demand from people who work in DIFC, DWTC and Downtown. Free-flowing links to 2nd December Street and Sheikh Rashid Street make getting in and out of these areas faster. New projects in nearby Jumeirah Garden City, such as Elemental 78, also sit close to the corridor.
Za'abeel and the Zabeel Park area. Za'abeel is one of the areas the RTA names. New homes near Zabeel Park, such as Wasl's Nine Collective, benefit from quicker access to Sheikh Zayed Road and the financial district.
Office projects along Sheikh Zayed Road. Several new Grade A towers are planned for the corridor, including the Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower and AHS Properties' new office tower. Better access at the northern end of the road supports the case for working there.
Keep expectations realistic. Better roads help demand over time, but they don't automatically push prices up. Rents and values still depend on the building, its supply and its price. Compare asking prices with recent Dubai Land Department transactions before you commit.
Credit: Dubai Media Office
What Drivers Should Know
The final bridge opens on Friday, 30 October 2026. Expect new lane layouts and signage around the junction in the first few days, and check RTA updates and your navigation app before you travel.
Talk to Luxwell Real Estate
Looking at homes or offices around DIFC, Za'abeel, Jumeirah Garden City or Sheikh Zayed Road? Luxwell Real Estate is a boutique luxury brokerage in Business Bay. We can shortlist ready and off-plan options and compare them with recent sales data.
- Email: info@luxwellrealestate.com
- Website: www.luxwellrealestate.com
- Contact form: Contact Luxwell
Sources: RTA announcement via WAM and the Dubai Media Office (25 October 2026); Gulf News, The National and Khaleej Times reports of 25 October 2026. Road openings can change, so follow official RTA channels for updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the final World Trade Centre Roundabout bridge open?
- The RTA will open the final bridge on Friday, 30 October 2026. With it, all major works on the World Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project are complete.
What does the new bridge do?
- It is a 1,000-metre, two-lane bridge carrying about 3,000 vehicles per hour from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street. The RTA says the trip drops from six minutes to one minute.
How much did the World Trade Centre Roundabout project cost?
- More than AED 696 million, according to the RTA. The project includes five bridges with a combined length of 5,000 metres.
Which areas benefit from the project?
- The RTA lists Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Za'abeel, Al Satwa, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya and Al Mankhool, serving more than 500,000 residents and visitors.
How much will delays at the junction fall?
- The RTA expects the average delay at the intersection to fall from 12 minutes to 90 seconds.
What is the Al Mustaqbal Street project?
- It is the RTA's related upgrade between Za'abeel Palace Street and Financial Centre Street. It adds 1,500 metres of bridges and tunnels and widens the street to four lanes each way, raising capacity by 33%. Completion is scheduled for 2027.
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