The Deira skyline, including the Etisalat building, along one of the area’s busy roads. Photo: Evgenii, Wikimedia Commons, “Skyline of Deira Dubai”, CC BY 2.0 (resized).
If you are driving to Deira this week, the map has just changed. The same is true if you are heading for Al Mamzar, Waterfront Market or Dubai Islands. The Al Khaleej Street Tunnel opened on Sunday 8 November 2026. It runs 1.65 kilometres from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp through to Al Wuheida Street. In short, that stretch is now free-flowing in both directions.
Meanwhile, Al Mamzar is also preparing for the Dubai T100 triathlon from 13 to 15 November. As a result, the new tunnel arrives at a busy moment for that shoreline. This guide explains who the link helps, what has actually opened, and what is still being built. It is written for drivers and visitors heading through older Deira. It is not a citywide infrastructure round-up.
What the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Changes for Drivers
According to Gulf News, last updated at 11:06 Dubai time on 8 November, the tunnel is 1,650 metres long. It has six lanes, with three in each direction. Its combined capacity is 12,000 vehicles an hour. Khaleej Times reported the same figures at 11:30 Dubai time. The tunnel starts at the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira. It finishes at the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street.
Traffic can now travel both ways without stopping at signals on that stretch. That is the practical change if you are coming off Infinity Bridge towards Deira and Al Mamzar. The same applies if you are heading the other way. The Roads and Transport Authority announced the opening on X at 11:17 Dubai time. The Dubai Media Office posted shortly afterwards, at 12:02 Dubai time.
The National and Emirates 24|7 also covered the opening on Sunday. It was not a named Dubai trend on X. Arabian Business had not published a same-day opening story when this guide went live.
The Numbers at a Glance
- Length: 1,650 metres, or 1.65 kilometres
- Lanes: six in total, with three in each direction
- Capacity: 12,000 vehicles an hour in both directions combined
- Route: Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street
- Traffic: free-flowing both ways, with no signals on that stretch
Who the New Tunnel Helps
So who actually benefits from the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel? Gulf News and Khaleej Times say it should improve access to Deira, Al Mamzar, Abu Hail and Al Wuheida. It should also help drivers heading for Dubai Islands, Waterfront Market and Al Hamriya Port. In fact, those are the neighbourhoods and destinations named in the same-day reports.
The wider Al Shindagha Corridor is also described as serving Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City and Port Rashid. RTA says the full corridor is expected to serve about one million residents and visitors. However, that wider figure applies to the completed 13-kilometre project. It does not apply to this tunnel alone.
If You Are Heading for Al Mamzar
Al Mamzar is one of the clearest winners for visitors. The beach and park sit towards the north-eastern end of this corridor. Our guide to the best beaches in Dubai includes Al Mamzar among the city’s shoreline options. Moreover, the Dubai T100 triathlon at Al Mamzar runs from 13 to 15 November 2026. Spectators and athletes driving in that weekend should find the new tunnel useful. Even so, allow extra time, because a major race still adds local congestion.
If You Are Heading for Waterfront Market or Deira
For example, Waterfront Market sits on this Deira waterfront. It is named in the official list of places that should become easier to reach. The market is a large destination for fish, fruit and vegetables. If you are planning a food shop, our supermarket in Dubai guide sets out the wider options. Afterwards, you may want a proper seafood lunch. In that case, see our guide to seafood restaurants in Dubai.
Deira itself remains a dense mix of hotels, shops and older residential streets. Therefore, a signal-free run off Infinity Bridge will not remove every jam. It should, however, take some pressure off the surface route along Al Khaleej Street.
How It Fits the Al Shindagha Corridor
The tunnel is part of the 13-kilometre Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. That project runs along Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street. It also includes work at 15 intersections.
Once the full corridor is finished, journey times along it should fall sharply. RTA says they should drop from 1 hour 44 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030. That claim is for the completed corridor, not for the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel on its own. No official figure has been given for peak-hour savings on this tunnel alone. For that reason, treat the 16-minute figure as a 2030 project target.
Related works are still moving around the new opening. RTA is replacing roundabouts on Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street with signal-controlled junctions. Additional work includes connecting the Dubai Islands bridge ramp to the new tunnel towards Al Mamzar. Mattar Al Tayer, director-general of RTA, said the opening marked further progress on one of Dubai’s major strategic road projects.
How the Tunnel Was Built
About 2,200 engineers, technicians and workers delivered the tunnel, supported by about 350 machines. Gulf News reported those figures from RTA. The project recorded nearly 11 million work hours with no reported injuries. About 77 per cent of roughly 522,000 cubic metres of excavated material was reused in other projects.
The Mosaic the Tunnel Will Feature
Beyond the traffic benefit, the tunnel will feature a large mosaic mural. Gulf News used that “will feature” wording. So we have not treated the artwork as something every driver can already see. No later official photograph has confirmed that the full mural is visible inside the tunnel today.
The design is by Emirati artist Maryam Al Hathboor. It uses 36 million mosaic pieces and depicts the Dubai skyline, including Infinity Bridge. In other words, the mural takes its look from the illustrations on banknotes. RTA chose mosaic for its durability. As motorists drive through, different parts of the artwork are meant to come into view.
What Is Still Being Built
On the other hand, a much larger crossing is still underway and is not open. RTA is building a 1,425-metre bridge across Dubai Creek. It will stand between Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid redevelopment area. The crossing will have four lanes in each direction and a capacity of about 16,000 vehicles an hour.
The bridge will stand 18.5 metres above the creek. Beneath it, a 75-metre navigational channel will let vessels pass. Plans also include a dedicated pedestrian and cycling track, with two lifts for access. About two kilometres of connecting roads will complete the link. When that crossing eventually opens, it should add another creek route for walkers and cyclists as well as drivers.
Work on the Bur Dubai section of the corridor was completed in 2025. No separate opening date has been given for the creek bridge itself. The only public timetable remains the 2030 target for the full corridor. Until the bridge opens, do not plan a shortcut across that stretch of water.
Practical Tips for This Week
The same-day reports do not publish a speed limit or lane-by-lane advice for the new tunnel. In practice, follow the on-site signs and the usual RTA rules. Because other works continue nearby, expect changes around the Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street junctions.
- Use the tunnel if you are coming off Infinity Bridge towards Deira, Al Mamzar, Abu Hail or Al Wuheida
- Remember that the 1,425-metre creek bridge is not open yet
- Allow extra time around Al Mamzar from 13 to 15 November during the T100
- Watch for new signals where roundabouts on Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street are being replaced
- Check RTA channels before you travel, especially if you are heading for Dubai Islands
Conclusion
The Al Khaleej Street Tunnel is a practical change for anyone driving between Infinity Bridge and the older Deira waterfront. It is open now and it is 1.65 kilometres long. It also offers a signal-free run towards Al Mamzar and back. At the same time, it is one piece of a much larger corridor. That wider project will keep changing until 2030. Visitors to Deira, Al Mamzar Beach or Waterfront Market can use the new tunnel now.
FAQ
When did the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel open?
It opened on Sunday 8 November 2026, according to RTA, Gulf News and Khaleej Times.
How long is the tunnel, and how much traffic can it take?
It is 1,650 metres long, with six lanes and a combined capacity of 12,000 vehicles an hour.
Which areas does it improve access to?
Reports name Deira, Al Mamzar, Abu Hail and Al Wuheida, plus Dubai Islands, Waterfront Market and Al Hamriya Port.
Is the new creek bridge open as well?
No. The 1,425-metre bridge between Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid area is still being built.
Will I see the mosaic artwork inside the tunnel?
Gulf News says the tunnel will feature a 36-million-piece mural by Maryam Al Hathboor. We have not independently confirmed that the full artwork is already visible.
Has the tunnel cut corridor journeys to 16 minutes?
No. RTA’s 16-minute figure is for the completed 13-kilometre corridor by 2030, not for this tunnel alone.
Key Takeaways
- The Al Khaleej Street Tunnel opened on Sunday 8 November 2026
- It runs 1.65 kilometres from the Infinity Bridge ramp to Al Wuheida Street
- Six lanes can handle 12,000 vehicles an hour, with free-flowing traffic both ways
- Drivers to Deira, Al Mamzar, Abu Hail, Al Wuheida and Waterfront Market should benefit
- The 16-minute journey-time claim applies to the full Al Shindagha Corridor by 2030
- A 1,425-metre creek bridge nearby is still under construction and is not open
- The planned mosaic by Maryam Al Hathboor has not been confirmed as fully visible
- Arabian Business had not published a same-day opening story when this guide went live
Useful Links
- Gulf News: Dubai opens new tunnel to ease Deira traffic jams
- Khaleej Times: Dubai opens 1.65km tunnel linking Infinity Bridge to Deira
- The National: Dubai opens 1.65km Al Khaleej Street tunnel
- Emirates 24|7: RTA opens 1.65km Al Khaleej Street Tunnel
- RTA on X: Al Khaleej Street Tunnel opening announcement
- Dubai Media Office on X: tunnel opening post
- Dubai T100 at Al Mamzar, 13–15 November 2026
- Best beaches in Dubai
