Construction is now underway on the Emirates Road expansion project—a two-year, AED 750 million initiative aimed at dramatically improving traffic flow between Dubai and the northern emirates, with an expected 45% reduction in travel time for daily commuters.
Major expansion to ease traffic between Dubai, Sharjah, UAQ, and RAK
The UAE has commenced construction on a major expansion of Emirates Road (E 611), a critical federal highway that connects Dubai with Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Sharjah. According to Khaleej Times, this expansion was announced in July 2025 and officially began construction in September, marking one of the country’s largest ongoing infrastructure projects. The project’s scope is significant: a total investment of AED 750 million is being allocated to widen the road, expand interchanges, and build new lanes and collector roads—all with the goal of easing traffic congestion and improving transport efficiency along one of the UAE’s busiest corridors. Emirates Road, originally launched in 2006 and renamed in 2013 to reflect its national importance, plays a pivotal role in facilitating movement across the UAE, especially for those seeking to bypass central Dubai. Now, this critical artery is being modernised to handle increasing demand driven by population and economic growth.
What’s included in the AED 750 million Emirates road upgrade
The development spans a 25-kilometre stretch of Emirates Road between Al Badee Interchange in Sharjah and the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain. As part of the upgrade:
- The existing road will be widened from three to five lanes in each direction.
- Road capacity will rise by 65%, enabling it to accommodate up to 9,000 vehicles per hour.
- At Interchange No. 7, six new directional bridges will be built with a total length of 12.6 kilometres and a combined capacity of 13,200 vehicles per hour.
- Collector roads—measuring 3.4 kilometres in total—will be added to both sides of the highway to further streamline traffic flow.
- Additionally, new traffic lanes with a total length of 70 kilometres are also planned as part of the broader improvement plan.
All elements of the project have been designed to adhere to international best practices in infrastructure planning, traffic safety, and road efficiency.
Timeline, execution, and long-term impact
The upgrade officially began in September 2025 and is scheduled to take two years to complete. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), which is overseeing the project in partnership with local government bodies, has emphasised that the outcome will not only benefit individual commuters but also strengthen the UAE’s overall road transport ecosystem. Once completed, the development is expected to reduce travel time by up to 45% for those commuting between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, and vice versa, via Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah. It will also enhance the reverse route, easing congestion for those driving from Dubai to the northern emirates. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted the significance of the project during earlier remarks made at the UAE Government Annual Meetings. He underscored that the expansion reflects national priorities around building a sustainable, efficient, and smart transportation infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic growth and improving the everyday lives of residents. In his words, the initiative is “a significant step toward realising the UAE’s vision of establishing an integrated road network that meets the needs of the population and economic growth.” He also noted that reducing congestion not only improves quality of life but contributes to sustainability goals by cutting emissions from traffic delays.
National significance of Emirates Road
Emirates Road (E 611) was first developed in 2006 as a bypass to reduce pressure on urban Dubai routes. The initial construction was carried out in three main phases, linking areas such as Al Dhaid Road in Sharjah and stretching toward Abu Dhabi’s outskirts. In 2013, it was officially renamed to reflect its importance as a key national roadway.Spanning approximately 110 kilometres, Emirates Road connects several of the country’s most vital emirates—from Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, and Sharjah, all the way to Dubai and down to Abu Dhabi. Unlike Sheikh Zayed Road or Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, this highway avoids central Dubai, making it a preferred alternative for long-distance traffic.The route plays a crucial role in easing congestion in urban areas and is widely used by residents, freight operators, and logistics providers to travel between the UAE’s northern and southern regions. It also improves accessibility to key industrial and commercial zones, facilitating more efficient commutes and faster freight movement across emirates.Over the years, the road has become vital for daily commuters and national logistics alike. The current expansion builds upon past upgrades to meet rising demand and align with the UAE’s broader development vision.
