First Al-Khail road scheme has entered procurement as Dubai seeks contractors for a major 30-kilometre road construction program. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has invited contractors to design and build the new corridor. The project will run parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road, adding capacity along a heavily used urban route.
The scheme includes approximately 15 kilometres of elevated viaduct along First Al-Khail Street. It also includes more than 14.5 kilometres of bridge ramps and associated infrastructure works.
RTA issued the expression of interest notice in early September 2026. Interested contractors must submit their responses by October 10, 2026.
Importantly, Dubai has not disclosed a standalone construction cost for the road scheme. Instead, the project sits within an AED18 billion development package, worth about $4.9 billion.
First Al-Khail Road Scheme Adds Elevated Capacity
First Al-Khail Road Scheme will create a strategic corridor parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. The elevated carriageway will provide three lanes in each direction.
The project targets the Sheikh Zayed Road section between Hadiqa Street and Hessa Street. That corridor faces growing pressure from rising traffic and limited available right-of-way.
Therefore, Dubai is pursuing elevated infrastructure instead of relying solely on conventional road widening. The approach will add capacity while limiting disruption to existing traffic movements.
The scheme follows earlier proposals for double-decker sections along Sheikh Zayed Road. However, those concepts did not progress as originally envisioned.
Instead, Dubai pursued separate corridor improvements, interchange upgrades and public transport investments. The latest project now provides another major intervention along the strategic route.
First Al-Khail Road Scheme Supports Dubai’s Growth
First Al-Khail Road Scheme forms part of Dubai’s broader response to population growth and increasing commuting demand. Dubai launched its 2040 Urban Master Plan in March 2021.
Planning studies project Dubai’s population will reach 5.8 million by 2040. Meanwhile, the daytime population could rise from 4.5 million to 7.8 million.
Consequently, Dubai continues investing in roads and mass-transit infrastructure to accommodate future mobility requirements. The emirate also approved its 20-Minute City Policy in December 2022.
The policy seeks to place 80% of residents’ daily needs within a 20-minute journey. Walking, cycling and public transport will support that objective.
Meanwhile, Dubai is advancing major metro investments alongside its road construction program. These include the Dubai Metro Blue Line extension and the proposed Gold Line.
The Executive Council approved the First Al-Khail Street Development Plan in July 2026. Construction should begin during the third quarter of 2027.
Authorities expect construction to finish during the fourth quarter of 2030. They will use modern construction methods and technologies to accelerate delivery.
The project will also serve approximately 2.6 million people. Furthermore, authorities expect the corridor to reduce peak-hour travel times on Sheikh Zayed Road by 51%.
Thus, the contractor procurement represents an important step toward delivering Dubai’s next major elevated road corridor. RTA will now assess market interest before advancing the scheme toward construction.
The First Al-Khail Road Scheme also fits into Dubai’s wider push to reshape urban mobility and improve connectivity. The approach complements earlier concepts such as The LOOP, a proposed 93-kilometre controlled-climate cycling highway designed to encourage walking and cycling across the emirate.
The LOOP concept supports Dubai’s 20-minute city ambition by bringing daily destinations closer through cycling and walking infrastructure. Similarly, the First Al-Khail project will strengthen road connectivity through a new elevated corridor parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road.
This broader mobility strategy is also visible in recent RTA projects. Dubai’s Hessa Street Development includes a 13.5-kilometre cycling and e-scooter track linking Al Sufouh and Dubai Hills
Project Fact Sheet
Name: First Al-Khail Street Development Plan.
Type: Elevated road and bridge infrastructure project.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Overall construction scope: Approximately 30 kilometers of road works.
Elevated infrastructure: Approximately 15 kilometers of viaduct.
Bridge structures: More than 14.5 kilometers of bridge ramps.
Road configuration: Three lanes in each direction.
Strategic alignment: Parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road.
Main corridor: Section between Hadiqa Street and Hessa Street.
Expected beneficiaries: Approximately 2.6 million people.
Traffic objective: Reduce peak-hour travel times on Sheikh Zayed Road by 51%.
Procurement stage: Expression of interest.
EOI deadline: October 10, 2026.
Expected construction start: Third quarter of 2027.
Target completion: Fourth quarter of 2030.
Wider investment package: AED18 billion, approximately $4.9 billion.
Planning framework: Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
Mobility framework: Dubai 20-Minute City Policy.
Project Team
Client: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai.
Government authority: Dubai Executive Council.
Strategic leadership: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Project procurement: Roads and Transport Authority.
Design contractor: To be selected through the procurement process.
Infrastructure delivery: RTA-led development programme.
Urban planning framework: Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
Mobility planning: Dubai 20-Minute City Policy.
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