The mega-projects dominate the headlines: AED 35 billion for 72 infrastructure projects, the Metro Blue Line, the Trade Centre transformation.
But Dubai also grows through internal road development—the neighborhood streets, the school access improvements, the community connections.
RTA has announced 6 road network efficiency projects launching in January 2026.
These projects won’t make international news. But they represent steady, distributed demand for precast elements—and often better procurement dynamics than the mega-projects.
The January 2026 Project List
1. Al Warqa’a 1 Street (Completed/Opening)
- Length: 7 km (both directions)
- Key feature: 4 roundabouts converted to signalized intersections
- Result: 30% improvement in traffic flow
- Infrastructure: 6.6 km stormwater drainage network, 324 street lighting poles, 111 parking spaces, 41,000 m² pedestrian pathways
2. Al Warqa’a 3 & 4 Internal Roads
- Road paving
- Pedestrian pathways
- Parking infrastructure
- Cycling tracks
3. Nad Al Sheba Internal Roads
- New community road network
- Bridge: 170m length, 2 lanes
- Capacity: 2,600 vehicles/hour
4. Mirdif Roundabout Development
- New roundabout construction
- Local traffic flow enhancement
5. GEMS Founders School Area (Al Mizhar)
- Roundabout upgrade
- Additional parking capacity
6. Dubai Heights Academy Area (Al Barsha South)
- Parking expansion
- Access improvements
The Precast Demand Profile
Internal road projects require different precast elements than highway infrastructure:
| Project Component | Precast Requirement |
|---|---|
| Road drainage | U-drains, catchpit covers, small box culverts |
| Kerb systems | Kerb units, drop kerbs, radius kerbs |
| Parking areas | Wheel stoppers, drainage channels |
| Utilities | Cable troughs, inspection chambers |
| Street furniture bases | Light footings, sign foundations |
| Temporary works | Small barriers, fence bases |
These elements have different characteristics than highway precast:
- Higher volume, lower unit value — Many more pieces, smaller individual cost
- Faster procurement cycles — Projects move quickly, decisions happen fast
- Less documentation-intensive — Municipal standards, not full RTA highway specs
- Distributed delivery — Multiple sites across Dubai, not concentrated corridors
The Al Warqa’a 1 Case Study
The Al Warqa’a 1 Street project provides a useful reference:
7 km of road required:
- 6.6 km of stormwater drainage — Substantial U-drain and culvert volume
- 324 lighting poles — Each requiring a concrete foundation
- 111 parking spaces — Wheel stoppers for each bay
- 41,000 m² of pathways — Potential for precast paving elements
One internal road project. Significant precast volume across multiple product categories.
Multiply by the number of similar projects in the Five-Year Internal Roads Plan (2025-2029), and the cumulative demand is substantial.
Why Internal Roads Are Good Business
For us as a manufacturer, internal road projects offer advantages:
Steady Pipeline
These projects happen continuously. While mega-projects have intense phases followed by completion, internal roads represent constant background demand.
Faster Payment
Smaller contracts with municipal entities often have simpler approval processes. Less documentation friction means faster payment cycles.
Local Logistics
Projects are distributed across Dubai. Delivery distances are reasonable. We’re not competing for access windows with major corridor construction.
Relationship Building
Contractors who start with internal roads often grow into larger infrastructure work. Today’s community road contractor is tomorrow’s highway contractor.
What We Supply for Internal Roads
Our product range covers internal road requirements:
| Product | Application |
|---|---|
| Wheel Stoppers | Parking bays, car park perimeters |
| Cable Markers | Utility corridor identification |
| Light Footings | Street lighting foundations |
| Fence Bases | Perimeter fencing for schools, parks |
| Paving Slabs | Pedestrian pathways, plaza areas |
| AC Slabs | External unit support, utility areas |
For construction zone protection, we also supply barriers and hoarding blocks—even internal road projects require traffic management during construction.
The Five-Year Context
The January 2026 announcements are part of RTA’s Five-Year Internal Roads Plan (2025-2029).
This means:
- Continued project announcements through 2029
- Sustained demand for internal road precast elements
- Opportunities for contractors to build ongoing relationships with RTA and municipalities
The mega-projects get the headlines. The internal roads get built steadily, year after year.
The Question for Your Business
If you’re a contractor focused on residential and community development, internal road projects are your market.
The specifications are manageable. The logistics are straightforward. The payment cycles are reasonable.
Are you quoting these projects with a reliable precast supplier—or scrambling to source products after you’ve won the tender?
