Mall of the Emirates Gets New Bridge Access, Cutting Travel Time for Motorists

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Properties, has officially opened a new 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road, offering motorists from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali direct access to the Mall of the Emirates. This infrastructure upgrade aims to enhance traffic efficiency, road safety, and visitor convenience around one of Dubai’s busiest retail and leisure destinations.

The single-lane bridge is capable of handling up to 900 vehicles per hour, dramatically reducing travel time to the mall—from nearly 10 minutes to just one. In addition, the road adjacent to the Kempinski Hotel has been converted from a one-way to a two-way street to improve circulation and access.

Beyond the bridge itself, the RTA’s comprehensive project includes upgraded entry and exit points, new pedestrian walkways, cycling paths, and significant improvements to surrounding roads and intersections. These enhancements aim to streamline access to the mall while ensuring safer and smoother movement for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the RTA, this initiative is part of Dubai’s long-term vision to improve connectivity and accessibility across the city. “The bridge enhances traffic movement and improves accessibility for both residents and visitors, ensuring safer and more efficient mobility around Mall of the Emirates,” he said.

The project’s scope extended beyond the bridge, covering 2.5 kilometers of surrounding road upgrades and redevelopment of six signalized intersections. The southbound ramp at the Umm Suqeim junction has been widened, and the junction itself has been improved to facilitate seamless access from Umm Suqeim Street to the mall’s parking areas. The Mall of the Emirates Metro Station bus stop has also been redesigned to better integrate public and private transport.

Further improvements include new stormwater drainage systems, road surfacing, modern lighting, landscaping, and dedicated cycling tracks, all of which contribute to better road safety and urban aesthetics.

Opened in 2005, the Mall of the Emirates attracts more than 40 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited destinations in the UAE. As the mall celebrates its 20th anniversary, Majid Al Futtaim has also announced a Dh5 billion expansion plan, which will add 20,000 square meters of new retail space. The expansion will introduce up to 100 new luxury, fashion, and lifestyle brands, as well as a health club, a cultural hub, and a dedicated dining precinct.

The mall also features three luxury hotels — Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Novotel Suites Mall Avenue Dubai, and Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel — all connected directly to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station through a pedestrian bridge.

The new RTA bridge not only improves access for motorists but also symbolizes Dubai’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure excellence and urban innovation, reinforcing the city’s position as a global destination for shopping, business, and leisure.