New 12-Lane Motorway to Link Dubai, Sharjah & Abu Dhabi
The 80km corridor is designed for up to 24,000 vehicles per hour in each direction and could cut travel times by as much as 60%.
A new 80km, 12-lane motorway has been approved to improve road connections between Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with the first phase estimated at AED 3.5 billion.
The initial section will run from Al Shanouf Road to Dubai-Al Ain Road and is expected to reduce travel times by up to 60%. A second phase will extend the corridor from Dubai-Al Ain Road to Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi.
Designed to accommodate up to 24,000 vehicles per hour in each direction, the route will serve more than 3.1 million people and provide an alternative to Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Ittihad Road, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
The project will include 72 bridges, 17 tunnels and 45 stormwater drainage culverts. It will also serve areas including Madinat Latifa, Madinat Hind, Al Yalayis, Al Awir and Dubailand.
Connections with Al Maktoum International Airport and Etihad Rail are also planned, linking the motorway with air and rail transport infrastructure.
The corridor forms part of a wider road expansion programme announced in November 2025, which includes AED 170 billion in upgrades over five years. Planned works include expanding Emirates Road to 10 lanes, widening Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road to 10 lanes and adding six lanes to Al Ittihad Road.
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