Dubai’s ambitious Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project (ACIP) is another step closer to its completion as the new Al Khaleej Street Tunnel just surpassed 80% completion.
The well-anticipated underpass will now officially open in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
As part of the broader initiative to transform Dubai’s traffic infrastructure, the project seeks to alleviate congestion on Deira and enhance connectivity between the various areas of the city, both old and new.
When Will Al Khaleej Tunnel Officially Open?
RTA has announced the opening of the tunnel to vehicles before the end of 2026. The Al Shindagha Corridor project is a 13km wide route that has a planned completion date of 2030, with the specific tunnel being given a higher priority for quicker completion.
The officials anticipate that the underpass will open sometime between October and December this year, car drivers may be able to use it when Q4 2026 arrives.
What Is Al Khaleej Tunnel Project About?
Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, a tunnel which is being built under one of the busiest roads in Old Dubai, that’s 1,650 metres long.
The tunnel will have three lanes – one for each direction – which will make the thoroughfare completely off-limits to traffic signals and lights, extending from the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira right through to the junction of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street.
Once in use, the tunnel should significantly alleviate traffic problems near Abu Hail, Al Mamzar and Al Wuheida.
Construction Progress Reaches Advanced Stages
The RTA has empowered all stakeholders by significantly speeding up construction activity to meet the project’s target launch date – Q4 2026.
Authorities say around 890 metres of the initial structural concrete work in the tunnel has been accomplished. This accounts for almost 65% of the structural phase of the tunnel.
Work crews are in full swing on the last stretch that is still to be completed with the preparatory work for finishing and utility systems taking place at the same time.
Massive Engineering Operations Running 24/7
To uphold the aggressive delivery programme, RTA has mobilised significant manpower and engineering resources at the project site.
There are currently fourteen special engineering teams working around the clock, on excavation and structural support. In addition there are four teams hard at work on the soil and rock extraction activities of the daily business.
This sequence of continuous work cycles enables excavation, reinforcement, paving, drainage and finishing operations to be carried out concurrently and simultaneously without having to wait for the previous one to finish.
Interior Finishing & Artistic Features Underway
The interior finishing works within the tunnel are now underway in the more transformative phase of the project, placing a greater emphasis on the visual aspects.
The work of the road widening, utility protection systems, wall cladding and drainage works are also ongoing, with the artist, Maryam Hathboor, working on the large mosaic mural.
We use this parallel construction approach to mitigate downtime from the completion of the structures to the handover.
How the Tunnel Will Change Traffic in Deira?
The opening of the Al Khaleej Tunnel is expected to immediately change the flow of traffic around Dubai’s East.
The proposed 6-lane underpass will handle around 12,000 vehicles an hour and will provide a seamless underground thoroughfare that will avoid a number of very busier intersections.
The tunnel will provide an alternative for commuters passing through Al Juwainiyah as the waiting time will decrease significantly and waiting points at some points will no longer have to be on the surface.The tunnel will greatly help Abu Hail residents who use those locations as daily commuters as the waiting time will reduce and not be on the surface again at some waiting points.
Temporary Traffic Changes Expected Before Opening
Over the next couple of months, residents and motorists should be prepared for the possibility of brief lane closures as construction wraps up on the final stages of the project.
The RTA is transforming old roundabouts in Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street into larger intersections with signals to blend the tunnel with the rest of the infrastructure on the streets.
This can result in drivers being required to shift lanes, reroute roads and follow different traffic patterns on weekends and during busy evenings.
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Why the Al Shindagha Corridor Matters?
Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project is considered to be one of the biggest ongoing road development projects in Dubai.
The overall objective of the project is to improve the mobility in Bur Dubai, Deira and waterfront clusters with the perspective of facilitating future population growth and economic development.
The officials estimate the corridor will help more than one million residents in the emirate once completed.
FAQs
When will the Al Khaleej Tunnel at Dubai be officially opened?
The RTA has announced that the opening date of Al Khaleej Street Tunnel is in Q4 2026.
What was the distance of Al Khaleej Tunnel?
The tunnel is about 1,650 metres under Dubai’s Al Khaleej Street.
What will be the number of lanes in the tunnel?
The underpass will have a total of 6 lanes, 3 lanes in each direction.
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