Dubai-Sharjah traffic: New Al Taawun tunnel to cut waiting times by up to 85%

Motorists travelling between Sharjah and Dubai are set to benefit from faster and smoother journeys with the opening of the first phase of the Al Taawun Tunnel project, which is expected to reduce waiting times by up to 85 per cent.

The project is centred around a 500-metre underground tunnel beneath Al Taawun Roundabout. It will provide a more direct connection between Al Taawun Street, Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai.

First Phase to Open in November 2026

The first phase, which includes the tunnel and connecting roads towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street and Emirates Road, is expected to open in November 2026, ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair.

The complete project is scheduled to be finished by February 2027.

How Will the Tunnel Reduce Traffic?

The underground route will allow motorists travelling along Al Taawun Street towards Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai to bypass the existing surface-level roundabout.

This uninterrupted route is expected to reduce pressure on surrounding junctions and improve traffic movement, particularly during peak hours.

Authorities estimate that the project could cut waiting times by up to 85 per cent, making one of the busiest corridors between Sharjah and Dubai more efficient.

Tunnel to Handle Thousands of Vehicles

The tunnel will be supported by a new signalised intersection designed to handle around 4,200 vehicles per hour in each direction during peak periods.

The additional capacity will help ease congestion around the tunnel and reduce pressure on existing surface roads.

The upgraded network will also provide more convenient access to Expo Centre Sharjah, an important destination in the Al Taawun area.

Where Will the Al Taawun Tunnel Lead?

The tunnel will connect Al Taawun Street directly with Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai.

The wider project includes connecting roads leading towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street and Emirates Road, creating stronger links between Sharjah and the wider UAE road network.

The tunnel could also become part of a future transport corridor connecting with Al Noor Road.

Why Is the Project Important?

Al Taawun Street is a major route for commuters travelling between Sharjah and Dubai and carries significant traffic volumes every day.

Moving traffic underground at Al Taawun Roundabout is expected to create a smoother corridor between the two emirates while reducing congestion at the busy intersection.

The project comes as traffic volumes continue to rise, particularly with schools reopening and daily commuting between Sharjah and Dubai returning to full pace.

Al Taawun Roundabout Monument to Return

The construction work required the temporary removal of the iconic Al Taawun Roundabout monument.

Engineering teams inspected its foundations before construction began and found that they were deeply rooted, making it difficult to construct the tunnel underneath without dismantling the structure.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has reassured residents that the monument will not disappear permanently.

It will be redesigned and rebuilt at its original location after the tunnel project is completed.

Other Major Road Projects in Sharjah

The Al Taawun Tunnel is part of wider infrastructure improvements across Sharjah aimed at increasing road capacity and reducing journey times.

Another major project is the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street-Maliha Street intersection, featuring a three-lane, approximately 500-metre overpass and nearly 2.5km of surface roads.

The Dh140-million project is expected to double traffic-flow efficiency and cut journey times from central Sharjah towards Maliha Road from around 20 minutes to approximately 10 minutes.

Sharjah has also expanded Emirates Road by opening two additional lanes along a five-kilometre stretch towards Wadi Al Amardi. The road has increased from six to eight lanes, raising capacity by around 33 per cent and potentially reducing peak-hour journey times by up to 25 per cent.

Road Maintenance Work Continues

Road maintenance and safety improvements are also underway in several parts of Sharjah, including Al Jazzat and Al Hazana.

Recent works involved road resurfacing and renewing road markings, covering around 785 metres in Al Jazzat and 730 metres in Al Hazana.

When Will the Al Taawun Tunnel Open?

The first phase of the Al Taawun Tunnel is expected to open in November 2026, ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair, while the full project is scheduled for completion in February 2027.

Once completed, the project is expected to add significant capacity to one of Sharjah's busiest traffic corridors and make journeys between Sharjah and Dubai faster and more efficient.