Mall of the Emirates, operated by Majid Al Futtaim, has announced a series of infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving accessibility and reducing travel times for visitors.
Among the key developments is a new bridge access from Umm Suqeim Bridge, which opened on January 12.
“Our partnership with the RTA marks a significant step forward in enhancing accessibility to Mall of the Emirates. This milestone reduces customers’ travel time from 15 minutes to 8 minutes, improving the convenience of our visitors,” Khalifa Bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management Business Unit told Arabian Business.
Road upgrades around Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates set for completion this year
Drivers coming from Umm Suqeim Bridge can now access the mall’s car park directly, avoiding the U-turn near the Dubai Police Academy. This improvement is expected to ease congestion and streamline the visitor experience.
The new bridge access is part of a broader strategic partnership between the Mall of the Emirates and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Braik confirmed that the remaining road network upgrades are on track for completion by the end of the year. These enhancements include several projects aimed at improving traffic flow and accessibility around the mall.
“The remaining upgrades include several projects aimed at improving ingress and egress to the mall and surrounding areas, such as improved exit routes and smoother traffic flow around the Kempinski and Sheraton hotels,” he said.
Despite being operational for just a week, the new bridge has already delivered measurable benefits. “We’ve already observed a reduction in traffic around the mall, despite only being opened to the public a week,” Braik said.
“As we move towards completing the full scope of work, we expect these results to scale further, enhancing the overall experience for our visitors,” he said, adding that Majid Al Futtaim is also working with the RTA to raise awareness of the new route to ensure more customers benefit from the improvement.
Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates to introduce barrier-less parking for seamless entry
Additional upgrades are planned for areas around Mall of the Emirates, with several phases set to open soon, Braik detailed. These include:
- The full opening of the Umm Suqeim slip road, which will separate Abu Dhabi-bound traffic and the mall, creating smoother traffic flow.
- A two-way dual road around the mall to serve Kempinski and Sheraton hotels. New direct bridge access from Sheikh Zayed Road (from the Abu Dhabi side) into the mall car park.
- Enhancements to the parking experience within the mall, including the introduction of barrier-less parking.
“With the upcoming introduction of barrier-less parking in partnership with Parkin, visitors will enjoy seamless entry and exit to the mall. Thanks to the new system, cars will no longer need to stop upon entering or exiting the mall car parks, as advanced cameras will automatically capture the vehicle’s license plate, resulting in smoother traffic flow,” he said.
The mall’s parking capacity is set to improve with the addition of direct access points and enhanced parking systems.
Mall of the Emirates currently offers five parking levels. “The direct access into our car park, facilitated by the new flyover from Sheikh Zayed Road, will encourage more visitors to the mall,” Braik said, adding that these enhancements will help address heavy traffic, ensuring a more convenient and stress-free experience.
The barrier-less parking system is expected to be operational this year, representing a step forward in Majid Al Futtaim’s efforts to innovate and enhance customer convenience.
The infrastructure upgrades are designed to handle increased visitor numbers during peak periods, such as the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and Eid.
“These infrastructure improvements will ensure we continue to welcome record numbers of visitors during peak periods. By significantly improving accessibility, reducing travel times, and introducing seamless parking solutions, we’re ensuring that visitors spend less time navigating traffic and more time enjoying everything the mall has to offer,” he explained.
Majid Al Futtaim’s collaboration with the RTA is part of its “bigger plan” to enhancing customer experiences.
“By improving accessibility and reducing travel times, we aim to make each visit convenient and enjoyable. We’re committed to offering new and exciting experiences and ensuring that Mall of the Emirates remains a leading destination for shopping, leisure, and entertainment in the UAE,” he concluded.