Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has announced a plan to improve motorists' access to Mall of the Emirates, as well as the surrounding streets and intersections.

The project, which will cost Dh165 million, involves the construction of a 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road with a single lane providing access to the mall. It will also improve pedestrian and cycling lanes.

Officials hope the plan will cut travel time for motorists coming from the direction of Jebel Ali from 10 minutes to one minute, and from 15 minutes to eight minutes from Umm Suqeim.

More than 40 million visitors annually visit Mall of the Emirates, which opened in 2005. It has 454 shops, 96 restaurants and cafes, and entertainment venues such as Ski Dubai.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the authority, said: "The project involves the construction of a 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road with a single lane, providing direct access to the Mall of the Emirates parking lots for motorists coming from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali.

“Additionally, the current ramp at Umm Suqeim intersection will be widened southward by improving the intersection to facilitate the movement of vehicles from Umm Suqeim Street to the existing bridge leading to the mall's parking lots.”