Getting around Dubai's old heart just got easier. The Roads and Transport Authority announced on Sunday, November 8 that the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel is now open — a 1,650-metre underpass running from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the junction of Al Khaleej and Al Wuheida streets.

The tunnel carries three lanes in each direction and can handle up to 12,000 vehicles an hour, which should make a real dent in the peak-hour queues that have long defined Deira's roads. RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer called it a significant addition to the district's network, and it's designed to serve fast-growing areas including Abu Hail, Al Wuheida and Al Mamzar, plus big draws like the Dubai Islands, Waterfront Market and Al Hamriya Port.

It's part of something much bigger: the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, a 13km overhaul spanning Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street. Along the way, the RTA is building 15 intersections, swapping roundabouts on Cairo Street and Al Wuheida Street for signal-controlled junctions, and linking the Dubai Islands bridge ramp through the new tunnel towards Al Mamzar.

There's a design flourish too. Emirati artist Maryam Al Habtoor has created a mural for the tunnel walls — a rendering of Dubai's skyline drawn in a banknote-inspired style of fine, intricate lines, brought to life with 35 million mosaic pieces. So even your tunnel commute gets a little culture.

For visitors, this matters more than it might sound. Deira is where many travellers experience the Dubai that predates the glitz: the souks, the Creek, Abra rides, and the excellent Waterfront Market for fresh seafood and local eats. It's also the gateway to Dubai Islands, one of the city's newest beach and hotel districts. Until now, driving between these spots could eat up serious time in traffic — and taxis sit in the same queues as everyone else. A smoother corridor means shorter transfers between Old Dubai, the islands and the northern beaches near Mamzar, and less buffer time to build into your plans.

If you're renting a car, note that construction along the wider corridor is still ongoing, so expect changed junction layouts and the odd diversion as roundabouts become signals. Allow a little extra time and let your satnav do the negotiating.