Dubai Unveils Two New Emirates Road Lanes to Slash Sharjah Commute Times

Dubai will open two new lanes on one of the country's main transport links on Sunday as part of a major drive to alleviate congestion between the emirate and Sharjah.

The project will expand a 5km stretch of Emirates Road, located between Sharjah and Wadi Al Amardi on the outskirts of Dubai, increasing its capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles an hour.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority stated that the initiative, which expands the number of lanes from six to eight, aims to reduce travel times on the route by up to 25 per cent.

The RTA noted that the plan supports broader efforts to invest in road infrastructure to keep pace with rising traffic levels on the key commuter corridor connecting Dubai and Sharjah.

This latest expansion aligns with ongoing efforts by transport authorities across the UAE to upgrade Emirates Road. Spanning 110km, Emirates Road—also known as the E611—serves as a vital alternative route to Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road for motorists traveling from Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, and Sharjah, allowing them to reach Abu Dhabi without passing through central Dubai.

In July last year, the UAE government launched the Dh750 million ($204.1 million) Emirates Road development project. Led by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, this strategy will increase the number of lanes from three to five across a 25km stretch connecting Al Badee Interchange in Sharjah to Umm Al Quwain, boosting the route's capacity to 9,000 vehicles an hour—a 65 per cent increase.

The scheme also includes upgrading Interchange No 7 on Emirates Road by constructing six bridges to accommodate a combined 13,200 vehicles an hour. According to the ministry, the road revamp is designed to cut travel times by up to 45 per cent for commuters traveling from Ras Al Khaimah through Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah to Dubai.