2026-08-30
On 2026-08-30 Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) awarded two contracts worth a combined AED 1.161 billion for the Al Meydan Street Development Project. The scope covers 17 km of new and upgraded roads, 3,700 m of bridges, two grade-separated interchanges with four lanes in each direction, cycling tracks and cycling underpasses. RTA expects the corridor to raise north-south traffic capacity by 18%, cut the journey from Al Manama Street and Dubai-Al Ain Road to Umm Suqeim Street from 30 to 10 minutes (a 66% reduction) and serve residential and development areas with a combined population of more than 500,000. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2028.
What RTA announced on 2026-08-30
Al Meydan Street runs parallel to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, two of the busiest north-south arteries in Dubai. RTA describes the street as a strategic supporting corridor: once the interchanges are built, drivers gain an alternative route between Al Khail Road, Latifa bint Hamdan Street, Al Marabea’ Street, Dubai-Al Ain Road and Umm Suqeim Street without joining the two main highways.
The project extends from the intersection of Al Meydan Street with First Al Khail Street to Umm Suqeim Street and also includes the development of Al Marabea’ Street up to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the works would strengthen connectivity across the main road network, provide alternative routes that improve traffic distribution and increase mobility efficiency between key areas.
Key figures of the Al Meydan Street project
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Contract value (two contracts) | AED 1.161 billion (about USD 316 million) |
| Roads | 17 km of new and upgraded roads |
| Bridges | 3,700 m in total, including two interchanges of 1,600 m and 1,400 m |
| Interchange capacity | Up to 14,400 vehicles per hour in both directions at each interchange |
| North-south capacity | +18% |
| Journey time, Al Manama Street to Umm Suqeim Street | From 30 to 10 minutes (-66%) |
| Population served | More than 500,000 residents |
| Completion | End of 2028 |
Contract one: Latifa bint Hamdan Street to Umm Suqeim Street
The first contract covers roughly 14 km: Al Meydan Street from its intersection with Latifa bint Hamdan Street to Umm Suqeim Street, plus Al Marabea’ Street from Dubai Hills to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The signalised crossing of Al Marabea’ Street and Al Meydan Street becomes a grade-separated interchange with 1,600 m of bridges, four lanes in each direction and a combined capacity of 14,400 vehicles per hour. It creates a direct connection between Umm Suqeim Street and Latifa bint Hamdan Street.
The same contract adds a direct three-lane link in each direction between Al Marabea’ Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road with a capacity of 7,800 vehicles per hour, and a 700 m elevated link on Dubai-Al Ain Road towards Nad Al Hamar Street to serve the residential areas of Nad Al Sheba.
Contract two: First Al Khail Street to Muscat Street
The second contract covers Al Meydan Street from First Al Khail Street, through Al Khail Road, to the intersection with Muscat Street. It adds about 2 km of new surface roads linking Al Meydan Street with Latifa bint Hamdan Street and surface improvements at the junction of Al Khail Road with the collector road towards Ras Al Khor Street.
The centrepiece is the conversion of the signalised Al Meydan Street and Muscat Street intersection into a multi-level interchange with free-flow movement in all directions: 1,400 m of bridges, four lanes each way and capacity of up to 14,400 vehicles per hour. The contract also builds cycling underpasses beneath Al Meydan Street so that cycling routes stay continuous and connect with Dubai’s existing network.
How it fits with the Latifa bint Hamdan corridor
The Al Meydan Street project is integrated with the Latifa bint Hamdan Street Development Project, for which RTA awarded an AED 2 billion contract on 2026-07-12. That 12 km corridor links Sheikh Zayed Road with Emirates Road through Al Khail Road, Al Meydan Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, with seven bridges, eight tunnels and more than 130,000 daily trips expected. Both projects are due by the end of 2028.
Together they connect five arterial roads and improve access to Dubai Hills, Nad Al Sheba, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Dubai District One and Al Barari. The award follows a run of RTA capacity upgrades this summer: the completed Al Marabea’ Street upgrade in Al Quoz in August and the two new lanes on Emirates Road opened on 2026-08-30.
What the project means for businesses along the corridor
The corridor passes through some of the fastest-growing residential and commercial districts of Dubai. For companies that operate there, the practical effects will appear in stages up to 2028:
- Logistics and delivery. A 20-minute saving on the Al Manama Street to Umm Suqeim Street run shortens daily routes for couriers, contractors and service fleets that today rely on Al Khail Road.
- Commercial property. Interchanges at Al Marabea’ Street and Muscat Street change access to plots in Nad Al Sheba, Meydan, Al Quoz and Dubai Hills; landlords and tenants should track construction phases when planning leases that run past 2028.
- Construction and engineering supply chain. Two contracts of this size generate subcontracting demand for earthworks, precast, steel, traffic management and testing; suppliers need a Dubai licence and a local bank account to be eligible for tenders.
- Staff commuting. Employers with offices in Business Bay, Downtown or Al Quoz and staff living in Nad Al Sheba, Al Barari or Dubai Hills should expect temporary diversions during works and shorter commutes after completion.
How Atlant Capital can help
Atlant Capital works with companies that plan to operate in Dubai’s infrastructure, logistics and real estate supply chains. We handle company setup in a free zone or on the mainland, select activities that match contracting or trading work, and support corporate bank account opening so that a new entity can sign subcontracts and receive payments. If you are entering the UAE market ahead of the 2028 completion of the Al Meydan Street and Latifa bint Hamdan projects, we can structure the licence and the residency of key staff in one workflow.
Conclusion
RTA’s AED 1.161 billion award for Al Meydan Street is the second major north-south corridor contract in Dubai in seven weeks after the AED 2 billion Latifa bint Hamdan Street project. By the end of 2028 the two schemes add 29 km of roads, 6,000 m of bridges and a continuous alternative to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road for more than 500,000 residents. Businesses along the corridor should plan for construction traffic first and for faster access afterwards.
FAQ
How much will the Al Meydan Street Development Project cost?
RTA awarded two contracts with a combined value of AED 1.161 billion (about USD 316 million) on 2026-08-30. The split between the two contracts and the names of the contractors were not disclosed in the announcement.
When will Al Meydan Street works be completed?
RTA scheduled completion of the Al Meydan Street project for the end of 2028. The connected Latifa bint Hamdan Street project, awarded on 2026-07-12 for AED 2 billion, has the same deadline.
How much time will drivers save on Al Meydan Street?
According to RTA, the journey from Al Manama Street and Dubai-Al Ain Road to Umm Suqeim Street will fall from 30 minutes to 10 minutes, a 66% reduction, and north-south capacity across the corridor will grow by 18%.
Which areas of Dubai does the Al Meydan Street project serve?
The corridor runs from First Al Khail Street to Umm Suqeim Street and serves residential and development areas with more than 500,000 residents, including Nad Al Sheba, Dubai Hills, Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens, Dubai District One and Al Barari.
