The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Majid Al Futtaim Properties, has inaugurated a new 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road, providing motorists traveling from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali with direct access to the Mall of the Emirates.
The single-lane bridge, designed to accommodate up to 900 vehicles per hour, significantly reduces travel time to the mall, from around 10 minutes to just one minute. As part of the project, the road adjacent to the Kempinski Hotel has been converted from a one-way to a two-way street. Additional upgrades include improved entry and exit points, pedestrian walkways, cycling paths, and enhancements to nearby roads and intersections.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the initiative aims to enhance traffic movement and improve accessibility for both residents and visitors in the area.
The project scope included the construction of the bridge, widening the southbound ramp at the Umm Suqeim junction, and improving the junction to facilitate smoother access from Umm Suqeim Street to the mall’s parking areas. In addition, 2.5 kilometres of surrounding roads were upgraded, six signalised intersections were redeveloped, and the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station bus stop was redesigned.
The RTA also made extensive improvements to road surfacing, lighting, stormwater drainage, and landscaping, along with new pedestrian and cycling tracks. “The bridge enhances road safety and boosts overall traffic efficiency around Mall of the Emirates,” Al Tayer noted.
Opened in 2005, Mall of the Emirates attracts over 40 million visitors each year. To commemorate its 20th anniversary, developer Majid Al Futtaim has announced a Dh5 billion expansion plan that will add 20,000 square metres of new retail space, accommodating up to 100 luxury, fashion, and lifestyle brands. The redevelopment will also include a health club, a cultural hub, a dedicated dining precinct, and major infrastructure upgrades.
The mall is home to three five-star hotels — Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Novotel Suites Mall Avenue Dubai, and Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel — and connects directly to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station via a pedestrian bridge.