The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai is launching a new multi-use track designed to enhance connectivity for first and last-mile trips, linking key locations such as the Dubai Internet City Metro Station with other major hotspots.
Dubai's New Multi-Use Track for Enhanced Connectivity
This initiative is part of a broader effort to make Dubai a more bicycle-friendly city. The track, specifically tailored for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, stretches 13.5 kilometers in length and 4.5 meters in width. It connects Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street and includes two bridges that cross Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.
The track's layout consists of a 2.5-meter-wide path for cyclists and scooter riders and a 2-meter-wide path for pedestrians. It serves a diverse array of areas, including residential, commercial, and educational zones, and integrates into bustling neighborhoods like Al Barsha and Al Barsha Heights. The aim is to improve mobility and accessibility, making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate the city.
Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, explained that this track is a segment of the larger Hessa Street Improvement Project. The project aims to facilitate smoother and more efficient travel for first- and last-mile trips, crucially linking the track with the Dubai Internet City Metro Station and other important areas. It is anticipated that the track will accommodate approximately 5,200 users per hour, significantly enhancing urban mobility.
The Hessa Street Improvement Project
The Hessa Street Improvement Project spans 4.5 kilometers between the intersections of Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. This project includes significant upgrades to four major intersections along Hessa Street, which intersect with Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. Additionally, the street will be widened from two to four lanes in each direction, effectively doubling its capacity to handle 16,000 vehicles per hour.
The new track features two architecturally distinct bridges. The first bridge, spanning 528 meters over Sheikh Zayed Road, and the second, stretching 501 meters over Al Khail Road, are both 5 meters wide. They are designed with 3 meters allocated for bicycles and e-scooters and 2 meters for pedestrians. The bridges' designs reflect their surroundings: the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge is inspired by the theme of connectivity with overlapping lines, while the Al Khail Road bridge mimics the path of sunlight, providing a serene experience for users.
This cycling track from Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills is a pivotal part of Dubai's cycling track master plan. The plan aims to expand Dubai’s cycling tracks from 544 kilometers to 1,000 kilometers by 2030, improving connectivity across the city. This expansion will link coastal areas such as Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, and Marina to external tracks at Al Qudra, Seih Al Salam, and Nad Al Sheba, via Al Barsha, Dubai Hills, and Nad Al Sheba. These developments aim to encourage cycling as a sustainable and viable mode of transport.
The Hessa Street Improvement Project is significant for several key residential and developmental communities, including Al Sufouh 2, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah Village Circle. By 2030, it is projected that the project will benefit over 640,000 residents. The project’s enhancements will double Hessa Street’s capacity from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
The project also involves improvements to four major intersections: Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. These upgrades include constructing new ramps, widening existing bridges, and enhancing traffic flow at signalized intersections, ultimately facilitating more efficient and safer travel across these key routes.