The new tunnel is open — here's what it means for your drive
Dubai just opened a 1.65 km tunnel connecting the Infinity Bridge to Deira, and it handles up to 12,000 vehicles per hour. If you commute through Deira, your route is about to change. And if you're sitting in that traffic daily, this is a good time to think about whether your current car is the right one for the job.
The short version
- The tunnel links Infinity Bridge directly to Deira, cutting out several surface-road bottlenecks.
- Al Khaleej Road, Baniyas Road, and Abu Hail area traffic flow will shift — check RTA updates before your next commute.
- Daily Deira commuters could save on fuel with a smaller, more efficient sedan or compact SUV.
- Dubai cars hold their value well — switching to a fuel-efficient model doesn't mean losing out on your current one.
- Browse used cars in Dubai to compare running costs before your commute changes.
What the Infinity Bridge tunnel actually changes
Before this tunnel, traffic from the Infinity Bridge fed into Deira through a network of surface intersections. That meant signal waits, merging lanes, and congestion around Al Khaleej Road and Abu Hail. The tunnel bypasses most of that.
Here's what RTA has outlined:
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tunnel length | 2 km (full stretch including approaches) |
| Capacity | 12,000 vehicles per hour |
| Main connection | Infinity Bridge to Deira (Al Khaleej Road area) |
| Key roads affected | Al Khaleej Rd, Baniyas Rd, Abu Hail Rd |
| Expected impact | Reduced surface congestion in central Deira |
If you drive from Bur Dubai or Al Jaddaf into Deira, you now have an uninterrupted underground route. No signals, no merging with local traffic. That alone shaves time off a daily commute.
Which Dubai cars make sense for daily Deira commutes
A smoother tunnel doesn't fix everything. Deira streets are still stop-and-go during peak hours. That kind of driving burns more fuel than highway cruising, especially in a large SUV or an older V6.
A compact sedan car — something like a Corolla, Civic, or Elantra — sips fuel in city traffic. Four-cylinder engines with around 7–8 L/100 km in the city are realistic. Compare that to a mid-size SUV at 11–13 L/100 km, and the difference adds up over a year of daily drives.
"Infrastructure upgrades like this make people rethink their daily driver. We see it every time — a new road opens, commutes shift, and suddenly running costs matter more than boot space."
Imad Hammad, CEO and co-founder of CarSwitch
Your current car might be worth more than you think
If you're considering a switch to something more fuel-efficient, the good news is that Dubai's used car market is active. Popular models — Camrys, Accords, Patrols — move steadily. Your current car has real value, and you can put that toward something that costs less to run every month.
Every car listed on CarSwitch is inspection-verified with a 200-point check. You'll know exactly what you're getting — no hidden surprises. That goes for the car you're buying and the one you're selling.
What to look for in a fuel-efficient daily driver
- Engine size: A 1.6L or 2.0L four-cylinder handles Dubai city driving without strain.
- Transmission: CVTs and modern automatics are smoother in stop-and-go traffic and more fuel-efficient.
- Service history: A well-maintained engine keeps its fuel economy. A neglected one doesn't.
- Tyres and alignment: Worn tyres or bad alignment increase fuel consumption by up to 5%. Check before you buy.
Plan your new route, then plan your next car
RTA will continue adjusting signal timings and lane markings around Deira as traffic patterns settle. Give it a couple of weeks for the flow to stabilise, then assess your actual commute time and distance.
Once you know the route, you know the car. A shorter, smoother tunnel commute might mean you don't need that big SUV anymore. Or maybe you do — but now you want a newer one with better fuel economy. Either way, start with what's available.
Browse used cars in Dubai on CarSwitch. Every listing is inspection-verified, pricing is transparent, and real people are here to help you find your next car — smoothly done.
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