Sheikh Rashid Street Tunnel opens in Dubai today

The tunnel is at the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa Street and has four lanes in each directions

Sheikh Rashid Street tunnel opens on Thursday. Construction began in September 2016. Courtesy Roads and Transport Authority

An eight-lane tunnel on Sheikh Rashid Street that will opens today.

The tunnel, at the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Street and Sheikh Khalifa Street, has four lanes in each direction and will serve motorists travelling between Al Shindagha Tunnel and Al Garhoud Bridge.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said the new tunnel will "greatly improve traffic flow".

Construction began on the project in September, 2016 and was projected to be complete by late 2017.

It is part of ongoing infrastructure developments for the Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Streets Intersection Project. The intersection receives traffic from Al Garhoud bridge, Oud Metha, Sheikh Zayed Road, Bur Dubai and Al Shindagha.

In February, the RTA opened a four-lane bridge on Sheikh Khalifa Street and a two-lane bridge from Zabeel Street o Sheikh Rashid Street. These bridges have reduced congestion heading to Al Karama and the World Trade Centre junction towards Sheikh Zayed Road.

“The project is part of RTA’s master plan for the improvement of roads, bridges, crossings and underpasses to accommodate the growing volume of traffic and to ease the traffic in all parts of Dubai,” said a statement by Mattar Al Tayer, the director general and chairman of the RTA’s executive board.

Lighting, paving, irrigation, sewage and storm water draining are also being improved, he said.

“The objective is to develop integrated solutions of roads and marine network that are safe for users and capable of matching development plans and demographic growth, while encouraging the development and investment in the emirate," said Mr Al Tayer.