Sharjah to Launch First Phase of Al Taawun Tunnel Project to Ease Dubai Commuter Gridlock

Construction work on a major road project aimed at cutting congestion and travel time between Sharjah and Dubai is gathering pace. Sharjah's Roads and Transport Authority announced that a new tunnel at Al Taawun roundabout will partially open in two months.

The area serves as a vital route for commuters traveling from Sharjah to Dubai and is notorious for long traffic queues, particularly stretching from Al Nahda Bridge to the roundabout. The transport authority stated that the first phase of this key project will be completed ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair, scheduled at the emirate's Expo Centre from November 4 to 15. The annual gathering attracts massive crowds from across the emirate and beyond, drawing 1.4 million attendees last year.

“The project will enhance the efficiency of the road network and improve traffic flow across the emirate,” the transport authority noted when upgrade work commenced in June. Full completion of the upgrade is anticipated by February.

Upon full opening, the three-lane tunnel in each direction will possess the capacity to handle up to 4,000 vehicles an hour. This scheme forms part of a broader initiative to alleviate traffic flow along the busy commuter corridor between Sharjah and Dubai. Additionally, two new lanes opened in Dubai on Sunday along a major national transport link as part of a concerted drive to ease travel toward Sharjah. This project expands 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.