Asan Tata— November 7, 2026Drivers travelling between Dubai and Sharjah have a new reason to check the road before they leave home. On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the first phase of a major road project linking the two emirates opened, with the partial opening of Al Taawun Interchange at its centre. The opening is good news for commuters, but it is only a first step. Some sections are open now, while the tunnel and several other parts will follow in a second phase.
This guide explains what opened on 4 November, which route is running one-way for book fair visitors, what the full project includes, and what drivers should expect while work continues.
Quick Answer
The first phase of the Sharjah–Dubai road links project opened on 4 November 2026. It includes the partial opening of Al Taawun Interchange and several bridges and junctions. A one-way route now runs from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah, timed to help visitors reach the Sharjah International Book Fair. The Al Taawun Tunnel and the upper-level junction at Al Taawun Roundabout are not fully open yet. They form part of phase two, along with bridges and junctions on three industrial streets and work at Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange.
What Opened on 4 November 2026
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the first phase on Wednesday morning, 4 November 2026. The phase covers the partial opening of Al Taawun Interchange and the operation of several bridges and junctions. Officials described the aim in simple terms: more road capacity, smoother travel, and less congestion on routes between Sharjah and Dubai.
Dr Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Initiatives Implementation Authority (Mubadara), said the first phase would help visitors reach the book fair while work continues on the remaining sections. Eng. Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), said the project reflects the emirate’s efforts to develop its road network in line with urban growth and residents’ needs.
The One-Way Route for Book Fair Visitors
The most useful detail for visitors this week is the one-way flow. Phase one provides one-way traffic from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah. That direction serves people heading to the Sharjah International Book Fair, which runs from 4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah.
If you are driving to the fair, plan around that direction. Follow the signs on the approach roads rather than relying on an old route you remember from a previous visit, because the layout at the interchange has changed. Allow extra time on the first days after an opening, when other drivers are also learning the new arrangement. If you are travelling in the opposite direction, do not assume the same new road is open both ways. The announced one-way flow covers the route towards Expo Centre Sharjah.
Book fair traffic is heavy by nature. The fair draws large crowds from across the UAE, and the road opening was timed to match it. Arriving earlier in the day, sharing a car, or using public transport where that suits your trip can all reduce the stress of the journey. Check live traffic updates before you leave, especially on weekends and evenings.
What the Full Project Includes
The wider project has five main sections. Together, they cover about 9.18 kilometres of roads, with a paved area of 207,265 square metres. Bridge lengths total about 753 metres, and tunnels about 581 metres. A stormwater drainage network of about 19 kilometres was also installed, in coordination with the relevant utility authorities.
Each section adds capacity in a different place. The figures below are target capacities given by officials for the finished works, not a promise about journey times on any single day.
1. Al Taawun Tunnel and Roundabout
The first section is the Al Taawun Tunnel and Roundabout. The tunnel is 560 metres long, with three traffic lanes in each direction along Al Taawun Street towards Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai. A signal-controlled junction above the tunnel will regulate surface traffic.
The tunnel’s target capacity is about 4,200 vehicles per hour during peak periods. Its purpose is to separate through traffic from local traffic, reduce congestion at the Al Taawun junction, and keep traffic flowing towards Dubai. It will also make access to Expo Centre Sharjah and the surrounding areas easier. The full opening of the tunnel comes in phase two, not phase one.
2. Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange
The second section develops Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange on Al Ittihad Road. Two box underpasses beneath the bridge will provide two additional traffic lanes in each direction. A bridge of about 315 metres will connect the interchange to Jamal Abdul Nasser Street.
The works also improve service roads and parking areas along Al Ittihad Road, while keeping shopfronts accessible. The expected added capacity is about 2,600 vehicles per hour across both directions, with better connections between Al Khan Street, the Ring Road, and routes to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road.
3. First and Second Industrial Streets
The third section upgrades the junctions at First and Second Industrial Streets. It creates a signal-controlled junction and provides two free-flow turning lanes before the traffic signals. Two new bridges of about 866 metres, with two lanes in each direction, are part of this section.
The new junction connects Damascus Street in Dubai with Wasit Street in Sharjah. Routes from there serve Mleiha Street and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. The target capacity is about 2,800 vehicles per hour during peak periods. For drivers in the industrial areas, the benefit is fewer conflicts between different traffic movements and a more direct connection between main roads.
4. Third Industrial Street
The fourth section creates a new road link at the Third Industrial Street junction. Two new bridges connect the Ring Road to Al Khan Street and onward to Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange. The bridges serve traffic in both directions towards the industrial areas and Dubai.
This section also improves turning routes towards Mleiha Street, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, and Al Dhaid Road, with a total length of about 2.7 kilometres. A vehicular underpass connects traffic from the industrial areas to the Ring Road, giving free-flow routes in the main directions and reducing the need to stop at junctions. Officials described this link as one of the project’s most significant additions. It opens a new, direct route towards Sharjah city centre and strengthens connections between Port Khalid and the industrial areas. Its estimated added capacity is about 5,200 vehicles per hour across both directions.
5. Ring Road Widening
The fifth section widens the Ring Road and improves its connections. The turning route from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards the Ring Road increases to three traffic lanes. The section of the Ring Road between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and the junction at Third Industrial Street gains two extra lanes towards Sharjah city centre and one extra lane towards Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road.
Entrances and exits will be reorganised, and merging and diverging lanes improved. The aim is smoother movement between the new links and the existing roads, rather than a single wider stretch that still bottlenecks at its ends.
| Section | Main feature | Target added capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Al Taawun Tunnel and Roundabout | 560-metre tunnel, 3 lanes each way | About 4,200 vehicles per hour at peak |
| Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange | 2 underpasses, 315-metre bridge | About 2,600 vehicles per hour |
| First and Second Industrial Streets | 866-metre bridges, 2 lanes each way | About 2,800 vehicles per hour at peak |
| Third Industrial Street link | New bridges and underpass to Ring Road | About 5,200 vehicles per hour |
| Ring Road widening | Extra lanes both ways, 3-lane turning route | Part of overall capacity increase |
What Comes in Phase Two
Phase two will bring the project to full operation. According to the official announcement, it includes the full opening of the upper-level junction at Al Taawun Roundabout and the Al Taawun Tunnel. It also includes the completion of bridges and junctions along the three industrial streets, and the development of Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange with its bridge to Jamal Abdul Nasser Street.
Two figures reported in the press need careful reading. Gulf News reported the wider programme is worth Dh750 million and was announced in June 2026. Earlier reporting also put full completion in February 2027, with waiting times falling by as much as 85 per cent once fully operational. Those come from press reports, not the 4 November official announcement, so treat them as reported expectations, not confirmed promises.
Driving Tips While Work Continues
First, check the route before you leave. Second, follow temporary signs, even when they differ from your satnav, because temporary layouts often change faster than maps update. Third, keep a safe distance in slow traffic near the interchange, where merging is more common. Fourth, if you are heading to the book fair, build in extra time for parking. The road may be smoother, but event parking still fills up.
Commuters who travel between Sharjah and Dubai every day should also watch for later announcements. Each new section opening can change the best route for a time.
Why This Project Matters for Commuters
The Dubai–Sharjah corridor is one of the busiest commuter routes in the UAE. Many people live in Sharjah and work in Dubai, and many businesses serve customers in both emirates. When one junction struggles, the delay spreads quickly to nearby roads. That is why officials have focused on capacity at several points at once, rather than fixing a single junction in isolation.
For residents, the practical benefit is not a single number. It is a network with more options when one route is busy. Even so, new roads attract more trips over time. The real test will come after phase two, when the full network is open and daily traffic settles into new patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Taawun Interchange fully open now?
No. Only the first phase opened on 4 November 2026, with a partial opening of the interchange and several bridges and junctions. The full opening of the tunnel and the upper-level junction comes in phase two.
Which route is one-way after the opening?
Phase one provides one-way traffic from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah. This direction helps visitors reach the Sharjah International Book Fair.
When is the Sharjah International Book Fair?
The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair runs from 4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The road opening was timed to help visitors reach the fair.
What will phase two add?
Phase two will fully open the upper-level junction at Al Taawun Roundabout and the Al Taawun Tunnel. It will also complete bridges and junctions on three industrial streets and develop Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange and its bridge to Jamal Abdul Nasser Street.
How long is the Al Taawun Tunnel?
The tunnel is 560 metres long, with three lanes in each direction. Its target capacity is about 4,200 vehicles per hour during peak periods once it is fully open.
Will the project end Dubai–Sharjah traffic jams?
No single project can end congestion on such a busy corridor. Officials expect the finished network to increase capacity and reduce congestion, and press reports have suggested large waiting-time savings once it is fully operational. Drivers should judge the result after phase two opens, not from the partial opening alone.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Road layouts, diversions, and opening dates can change as construction continues. Always follow on-site signs and live traffic updates before you travel, and check official SRTA or Sharjah Government announcements for the latest position.
Sources: WAM announcement of 4 November 2026 as carried by Sharjah24; Khaleej Times report of 4 November 2026; Gulf News report of 4 November 2026 on the wider Dh750 million programme.
Last Updated: 7 November 2026
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