UAE launches Dh750m Emirates Road expansion plan to cut congestion
Emirates Road development project – which is being led by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure – will extend the number of lanes from three to five on a 25km stretch linking the Al Badee Interchange in Sharjah to Umm Al Quwain. The move will boost the capacity of the route to 9,000 vehicles per hour – an increase of 65 per cent.
The scheme will also include a comprehensive upgrade of Interchange No 7 on Emirates Road, through the construction of six new bridges able to serve a combined 13,200 vehicles every hour. Work on the project is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to take two years to complete.
The ministry said the road revamp is intended to reduce travel time by up to 45 per cent for commuters travelling from Ras Al Khaimah through Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah to Dubai, and vice versa. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the initiative is part of the ministry's efforts to develop practical and sustainable solutions to traffic congestion.
'This project represents a significant step towards realising the UAE's vision of establishing an integrated road network that meets the needs of the population and economic growth,' he said.
'Enhancing road efficiency and upgrading key interchanges will reduce daily travel times, improve community satisfaction, and support sustainable development by ensuring smooth traffic flow that enhances quality of life. It also reflects the country's commitment to delivering innovative solutions for improving transportation, reducing congestion-related emissions, and raising overall living standards.'
Emirates Road – also known as the E611 – spans 110km and is a vital alternative route to Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road for drivers in Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Sharjah. It allows motorists to travel to Abu Dhabi without having to go through central Dubai.
Congestion-cutting plans
Authorities across the Emirates are stepping up road-building efforts to help meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
Abu Dhabi's population crossed 4 million for the first time last month, while Dubai is fast approaching the same figure. A recent survey revealed that traffic jams continue to be the primary source of frustration for motorists.
The research, based on the canvassing of 1,021 people in the country, found that 86 per cent of motorists 'typically experience traffic congestion '. Four fifths of respondents in the RoadSafety UAE and Al Wathba Insurance study said they have noticed heavier traffic congestion year on year.
The UAE has introduced congestion charges as one means to ease traffic flow on the country's roads. Dubai introduced its road toll system, Salik, in 2007 and the system has since been extended and modified, notably through this year's introduction of dynamic pricing, with levies increasing at peak times.
Abu Dhabi's Darb road toll system, which was introduced four and a half years ago, charges at peak hours in the morning and early evening. Many other measures could alleviate the UAE's traffic woes.
Surveys last year by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department found flexible working hours and more working from home could cut peak-hour traffic by as much as 30 per cent.
The government is also encouraging residents to swap their cars for public transport. The Blue Line expansion of the Dubai Metro and ambitious plans for the Etihad Rail train network are central to the strategy.
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