Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed a Trade Centre Roundabout traffic diversion as bridge works continue under the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project, shifting key movements from Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street to keep traffic flowing during construction.
Key Takeaways: Trade Centre Roundabout traffic diversion impact
- Changes start Sunday, 15 March 2026, as part of ongoing bridge works.
- Traffic from Sheikh Rashid Road toward 2nd December Street diverts off the bridge before Trade Centre Roundabout.
- Traffic from Al Majlis Street toward Trade Centre Roundabout reroutes to Zabeel Palace Street.
In the streets around Trade Centre, Zabeel, and the older residential pockets near 2nd December Street, drivers are already adjusting their routines. This is one of the latest Dubai Traffic changes to hit a busy corridor used daily by office commuters, delivery riders, and families heading between Bur Dubai and central business districts.
| Route affected | Normal direction | Temporary diversion | Effective date | Project timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Rashid Road | Toward 2nd December Street via bridge to Trade Centre Roundabout | Diverted from the bridge before Trade Centre Roundabout | Sunday, 15 March 2026 | Scheduled to open October 2026 |
| Al Majlis Street | Toward Trade Centre Roundabout | Diverted to Zabeel Palace Street | Sunday, 15 March 2026 | Scheduled to open October 2026 |
Which roads are closed or diverted around Sheikh Rashid Road and 2nd December Street?
Under the latest RTA Updates, drivers coming from Sheikh Rashid Road in the direction of 2nd December Street will no longer continue on the bridge toward Trade Centre Roundabout during this phase of works. Instead, the RTA is diverting traffic off that bridge approach.
Separately, motorists using Al Majlis Street toward Trade Centre Roundabout will need to follow the signed reroute to Zabeel Palace Street. This is the key change behind the widely shared phrasing, “Sheikh Rashid Road diversion to Zabeel Palace Street,” which reflects how multiple approaches now feed into alternative paths around the work zone.
The authority’s guidance to road users is clear: “Please plan your journeys in advance and follow traffic signs to ensure a smooth arrival at your destinations.” In practical terms, that means watching for lane guidance early and committing to the detours and alternative routes before reaching the roundabout approaches.
Daily effect in Trade Centre and Zabeel: what commuters should expect this week
For residents and workers moving through Trade Centre Roundabout during peak hours, the most immediate impact is time. Temporary diversions around Trade Centre Roundabout can affect commute times, delivery logistics, and access to central business areas in Dubai, influencing daily mobility and productivity. Drivers who usually rely on the bridge approach from Sheikh Rashid Road may see slower merging and longer queues as traffic redistributes onto surface connections.
Small businesses that depend on predictable arrival windows, including couriers and service teams crossing between Bur Dubai and the Trade Centre area, should factor in extra buffer time. This is also where Commuter Advice becomes practical: leave earlier, follow posted detour signs rather than map shortcuts, and avoid last second lane changes near the diversion points.
What the bridge works mean for Road Closures and Infrastructure Projects in Dubai
The RTA linked the changes to roadworks and bridge construction underway to complete new bridges within the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project. While the agency described the measures as temporary traffic diversions, drivers will experience them like targeted Road Closures on familiar approaches, especially at the bridge movement toward the roundabout.
Across Dubai, similar staged traffic management has become standard during major Infrastructure Projects, with phased diversions designed to keep corridors operating while crews complete structural elements. The project’s October 2026 opening signals a major infrastructure upgrade that may improve traffic flow and connectivity once completed, particularly for movements feeding into and out of the Trade Centre area.
When will the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project open?
The RTA said the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project is scheduled to open in October 2026. Until then, Dubai traffic updates will continue as bridge works progress and routes shift in phases.
