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Dubai Marina Launches Major Marine and Road Upgrades to Ease Traffic Congestion
RTA projects target station comfort and exit efficiency in the 1.56 km² waterfront district as broader master plans advance.
How we reported this
The Roads and Transport Authority completed Phase One of the Marine Transport Stations Waiting Area Upgrade, installing full air-conditioning at five stations in Dubai Marina.
These changes arrive as Dubai Marina manages movement for its roughly 35,000 residents across 200 residential and hotel high-rises within the compact 1.56 km² master-planned area. Daily flows involve the Dubai Tram linking to JBR and Media City, plus two Metro stations at DMCC and Sobha Realty that serve commuters along the 7 km Marina Walk retail corridor.
Road and Marine Station Changes
In 2024 the RTA opened a new free-flow exit from Al Seba Street to Qarn Al Sabkha Street. Motorists leaving Dubai Marina recorded travel-time reductions of approximately 60 percent at that chokepoint. Phase One of the marine station work added air-conditioned waiting areas at Marina Promenade, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace, Marina Mall and Marina Mall 1. Marina Promenade enhancements also include new shaded walkways and retail upgrades, paired with planned smart lighting and high-speed public Wi-Fi under the Smart Dubai programme.
The upgrades form part of the Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan launched in 2023, which sets a target to expand the marine transport network by 188 percent to 158 km by 2030, with additional stations planned for waterfront locations including Dubai Marina. Administrative Decision No. 1/2026 introduced updated permitting and operational rules for marinas and marine terminals to support these developments.
Next Steps Under Existing Plans
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan identifies Dubai Marina for continued upgrades that increase land allocated to hotels and tourist activities. Residents and visitors can expect further marine line extensions toward Bluewaters and Palm Jumeirah alongside ongoing road signal improvements. Practical options remain use of the expanded marine stations, the existing Metro and Tram connections, and the new Al Seba Street exit for road travel.