Dubai is set to become a bicycle-friendly city with the construction of a 13.5 km cycling track as part of the Hessa Street Improvement Project. The track, designed for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, will connect Al Sufouh to Dubai Hills via Hessa Street and includes two bridges crossing Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. The track is 4.5 meters wide, with 2.5 meters designated for cyclists and scooter riders and 2 meters for pedestrians, serving 12 residential, commercial, and educational areas along with service facilities in neighborhoods like Al Barsha and Al Barsha Heights.
The project, led by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), aims to improve connectivity for first and last-mile trips, linking with the Dubai Internet City Metro Station and other hotspots in the vicinity. The capacity of the track is estimated at 5,200 users per hour. The Hessa Street Improvement Project also includes upgrades to four major intersections along Hessa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road, doubling the street’s capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
The two bridges on the track, which span over Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, are uniquely designed to enhance connectivity and offer a tranquil escape from street noise. The engineering design of the bridges is inspired by the surrounding environments, with the bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road embodying themes of connectivity and the bridge over Al Khail Road replicating the path of sunlight. The open design of the structures enhances visibility and offers improved views of the surrounding areas and adjacent towers.
The cycling track connecting Al Sufouh and Dubai Hills is a key component of Dubai’s cycling tracks master plan, aiming to increase the overall length of cycling tracks in the city from 544 km to 1,000 km by 2030. This expansion will connect coastal areas like 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, encouraging residents and visitors to use cycling as a sustainable transport option.
The Hessa Street Improvement Project will serve over 640,000 inhabitants by 2030, doubling the street’s capacity to accommodate the growing population. The project includes the improvement of four main intersections along Hessa Street, including Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road intersections. These upgrades aim to enhance traffic flow and improve connectivity across key residential and developmental communities in Dubai. Overall, the project is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient transportation system in the city.
