RTA opens 1,650-metre Al Khaleej Street Tunnel

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel on Sunday under the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project.

The 1,650-metre tunnel extends from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street.

It features three lanes in each direction, with a combined capacity of 12,000 vehicles per hour.

The works also included converting the roundabouts on Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street into signal-controlled intersections, implementing traffic improvements along Cairo Street, and connecting the bridge ramp from Dubai Islands to the new Al Khaleej Street Tunnel towards Al Mamzar.

The tunnel is covered by a total of 35 million mosaic pieces depicting Dubai’s skyline in a style inspired by banknote illustrations. It was designed by Emirati artist Maryam Al Hathboor under the Dubai Tunnels initiative. 

The tunnel project achieved a significant milestone, recording nearly 11 million work hours since construction began, with the highest occupational safety standards maintained and no injuries reported. 

A total of 2,200 engineers, technicians, and workers have contributed to the project, supported by 350 pieces of heavy and light equipment and machinery deployed across the construction sites.

The project also excavated 77 per cent of the materials during tunnel construction, with an estimated 522,000 cubic metres reused in projects undertaken by RTA and other entities. 

The opening marks another milestone in the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which extends 13 km along Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, and Cairo Street.

The improvement project, estimated to support one million people, includes the development of 15 intersections and serves several key residential areas and major developments, including Dubai Islands, Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, noted that completing the corridor improvements will reduce journey time from 1 hour 44 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030. 

#RTA opened Al Khaleej Street Tunnel today, Sunday. The 1,650-metre tunnel extends from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street. It features three lanes in each direction, with a combined capacity of 12,000… pic.twitter.com/3HXMOZigua

— RTA (@rta_dubai) November 8, 2026