Sharjah-Dubai travel: Emirates Road to get two new lanes, cutting peak-hour trips by 25%

Motorists travelling from Sharjah towards Dubai will have access to two additional lanes on a key five-kilometre stretch of Emirates Road from Sunday, August 30, as authorities move to increase road capacity ahead of the new academic year.

The expansion is expected to reduce journey times by up to 25% during peak hours, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The project comes as traffic between Sharjah and Dubai is expected to increase with the end of the summer break. UAE schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 31, bringing school buses, parents and daily commuters back onto the roads.

Emirates Road capacity to rise by 33%

Under the expansion, the number of lanes on the affected section of Emirates Road will increase from six to eight lanes in the direction of Wadi Al Amardi.

The additional lanes will raise the road's capacity from approximately 12,000 vehicles per hour to 16,000 vehicles per hour, representing an increase of around 33%.

The higher capacity is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times during periods of heavy congestion, particularly for motorists travelling from Sharjah towards Wadi Al Amardi.

More than 240,000 vehicles use Emirates Road daily

Emirates Road is a major transport corridor connecting Dubai with Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. According to the RTA, more than 240,000 vehicles travel along the road in both directions every day.

The highway is used by private motorists as well as heavy vehicles and provides connections to major roads, residential communities, industrial areas and logistics hubs.

With residential and commercial developments continuing to expand along the corridor, traffic volumes between Sharjah and Dubai have also continued to increase.

Expansion targets peak-hour congestion

The latest improvement is intended to address growing traffic demand and improve the movement of vehicles between the Northern Emirates and Dubai.

The timing of the project also coincides with the return of schools, when peak-hour traffic is typically affected by an increase in school buses, private vehicles and commuter journeys.

Further improvements planned along Emirates Road

The latest lane expansion forms part of wider efforts to improve traffic capacity and connectivity along Emirates Road.

Previous improvements have included a new access point to Al Awir 1, upgrades to entry and exit points at various locations, and improved connections with Al Amardi Street and surrounding development areas.

The latest expansion is expected to provide additional capacity on one of the key routes used by commuters travelling between Sharjah and Dubai.