Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) says construction on the Dubai Harbour bridge has reached 65% and remains on schedule for a 2026 finish. The 1,500-metre, two-lane link will provide direct access from Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Harbour and is designed to carry about 6,000 vehicles an hour, sharply cutting journey times for commuters and supporting waterfront growth.
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Project status and delivery timetable
RTA’s statement on 25 January confirms the scheme is 65% complete, with utility relocation and traffic diversion works largely finished. The authority says the project remains on course for delivery in the third quarter of 2026, subject to planned traffic management and contractor schedules.
Design, capacity, and route alignment
The bridge spans roughly 1,500 metres and features two lanes in each direction. Planners estimate the link will handle about 6,000 vehicles per hour and will connect at Interchange 5 on Sheikh Zayed Road. The alignment passes near the American University in Dubai, crosses King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, and ties into Dubai Harbour Street.
Traffic benefits and commuter impact
By creating a direct route to the harbour, the link will remove several signalised movements and reduce travel times on key approaches. RTA projects travel time for certain movements will fall from about 12 minutes to roughly three minutes, easing pressure on Al Naseem and Al Falak streets. The authority says this will improve daily commutes and reduce local congestion.
Coordination with private partners and urban goals
RTA highlighted close collaboration with private stakeholders to align road works with Dubai Harbour’s wider development. Developers note the new link will strengthen Dubai Harbour’s role as a waterfront destination, supporting marinas, residential towers, and retail components already under construction.
Construction works and on-site activity
Contractors have completed the bulk of utility adjustments and are advancing deck and at-grade improvement works at four intersections along the corridor. RTA reports that traffic diversion measures are in place to protect construction progress and maintain flow on adjacent roads.
The Dubai Harbour bridge is a focused infrastructure intervention. It’s short — 1,500 metres — but built to relieve a key access bottleneck on Sheikh Zayed Road and to unlock the growing waterfront precinct. If the schedule holds, residents and visitors can expect faster access to Dubai Harbour by late 2026.
