Dubai Greenlights Massive 12-Lane, 80km Highway to Ease Traffic Between Emirates

Dubai has officially approved a major new 80km highway project designed to connect the emirate with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in an aggressive push to reduce severe traffic congestion.

With a budget of Dh3.5 billion, the initial phase of the project aims to slash travel times by as much as 60 per cent while significantly boosting inter-emirate connectivity. This first stretch is planned to run from Al Shanouf Road to Dubai-Al Ain Road.

The initiative was announced on Wednesday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. The upcoming highway is intended to function as a viable alternative route to the currently overburdened E11, E311, and E611 highways.

Designed as a massive 12-lane corridor, the roadway will be capable of handling up to 24,000 vehicles per hour in each direction, ultimately serving a population of over 3.1 million people. To facilitate this massive flow of traffic, the infrastructure project will feature 72 bridges, 17 tunnels, and 45 stormwater drainage culverts across the UAE.

Looking ahead, the second phase of development will extend the route from Dubai-Al Ain Road to Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the significance of the project, stating, "This project reflects our continued commitment to investing in infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, a foundation for enhancing quality of life, and a key pillar of Dubai’s readiness for the future."

Furthermore, the newly designed road network will seamlessly integrate with Al Maktoum International Airport and Etihad Rail, effectively uniting road, air, and rail transportation networks.