Sharjah’s 500-metre Al Taawun Tunnel to slash Dubai traffic waiting times by 85pc
New signalised junction to handle 4,200 vehicles hourly in each direction
DUBAI – Motorists travelling between Sharjah and Dubai are set to benefit from a major upgrade at one of the emirate’s busiest traffic corridors, with the first phase of the Al Taawun Tunnel project scheduled to open in November 2026.
The 500-metre underground tunnel runs beneath Al Taawun Roundabout and is designed to provide a more direct route towards Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai. The project is expected to cut waiting times by up to 85 per cent while increasing capacity and improving movement around the area.
The first phase includes the tunnel and connecting roads leading towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street and Emirates Road. It is being opened ahead of the next edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, while the full project is scheduled for completion in February 2027.
Direct route
The tunnel features three lanes in each direction, allowing motorists travelling along Al Taawun Street to bypass the surface-level roundabout and continue towards Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai.
By moving a significant part of traffic underground, the project is designed to reduce pressure on existing junctions and improve movement during peak periods. The route is particularly important because Al Taawun Street serves as a major connection between Sharjah and Dubai, carrying large volumes of commuters and other motorists each day.
A new signalised intersection forms another key part of the project. It will be capable of handling about 4,200 vehicles per hour in each direction during peak periods, providing additional capacity for traffic around the tunnel and surrounding roads.
The improved road network will also offer more direct access to Expo Centre Sharjah, making it easier for motorists to reach the major exhibition and events venue in Al Taawun.
The wider project includes connections towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street and Emirates Road, strengthening links between the northern parts of Sharjah and major routes across the UAE. The tunnel is also expected to form part of a future transport corridor connecting with Al Noor Road.
Monument return
Construction of the underground route required the temporary removal of the well-known Al Taawun Roundabout monument.
Engineering teams inspected the monument’s foundations before construction began and found that they were deeply rooted in the ground. This made it difficult to carry out the tunnel works underneath the structure without dismantling it.
Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has reassured residents that the landmark will not disappear permanently. It is due to be redesigned and rebuilt at its original location after the tunnel project is completed.
The Al Taawun development comes as Sharjah continues a wider programme of road and junction improvements aimed at increasing capacity and reducing journey times across the emirate.
One of the major projects under way is the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street-Maliha Street intersection upgrade. The project includes a three-lane overpass stretching about 500 metres, alongside surface roads extending nearly 2.5km.
The Dh140-million scheme is designed to double traffic-flow efficiency at the intersection and improve movement between central Sharjah, Maliha Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street. Journey times for motorists travelling from central Sharjah towards Maliha Road are expected to fall from around 20 minutes to approximately 10 minutes.
Wider upgrades
Sharjah has also expanded capacity on Emirates Road, where two additional lanes were opened on a five-kilometre stretch towards Wadi Al Amardi. The expansion increased the road from six to eight lanes and is expected to raise capacity by about 33 per cent while cutting peak-hour journey times by up to 25 per cent.
Road maintenance and safety works are continuing at several locations across the emirate. Recent projects have included resurfacing and renewing road markings in Al Jazzat and Al Hazana, covering stretches of 785 metres and 730 metres respectively.
Other works are focused on pedestrian safety and traffic movement. New pedestrian crossings with marked lanes and three-phase traffic signals are being installed on Corniche Street in front of Sharjah Ladies Club and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.
Similar improvements are being carried out on Port Street between Al Mareija and Al Jubail, adding further pedestrian and traffic-management measures to key areas of Sharjah.