Dubai’s Shindagha Tunnel Turns 50: A Landmark of Urban Connectivity

Dubai marked a significant milestone on December 19, 2025, as the Shindagha Tunnel celebrated 50 years since its inauguration. Opened in 1975, the tunnel was Dubai’s first fixed underwater road crossing beneath Dubai Creek and played a transformative role in connecting Deira and Bur Dubai during the city’s early development years.

Before the tunnel was built, crossing the creek relied mainly on abras, which became increasingly inadequate as traffic volumes rose following the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. To address this growing challenge without disrupting marine traffic, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum commissioned a feasibility study to explore long-term infrastructure solutions.

British engineering firm Sir William Halcrow & Partners recommended constructing an underwater tunnel, and work began in the early 1970s using an in-situ dry construction method. The technically complex project involved excavating beneath the creek bed while maintaining watertight conditions. The tunnel features a submerged section of approximately 550 metres, four traffic lanes, a clearance height of around five metres, and a speed limit of 60 km/h.

Over the decades, the Shindagha Tunnel became a vital part of Dubai’s road network, carrying tens of thousands of vehicles daily. Despite early challenges such as concrete deterioration caused by saline conditions, regular maintenance and upgrades extended the tunnel’s lifespan well beyond its original design expectations.

By the early 2020s, daily traffic volumes had surpassed 55,000 vehicles, leading the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to incorporate the tunnel into the Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. In March 2022, the tunnel reopened fully in the Deira-to–Bur Dubai direction following major linking works with new bridges.

A standout feature of the upgraded corridor is the Infinity Bridge, an iconic structure crowned with a 42-metre-high infinity-shaped arch. The bridge spans 295 metres, accommodates 12 traffic lanes, includes a cycling track, and allows uninterrupted marine navigation through a wide channel beneath it.

Fifty years after its opening, the Shindagha Tunnel remains more than just a transport link. It stands as a lasting symbol of Dubai’s forward-thinking vision, highlighting how early investments in infrastructure helped shape the modern global city the emirate is today.