UAE Plans New Highway to Ease Traffic

A New Nationwide Highway May Be Built in UAE – Traffic Reduction with 170 Billion Dirhams

The United Arab Emirates plans to build a new 120-kilometer-long federal highway that could accommodate up to 360,000 vehicles per day. The initiative is part of the country's 170 billion dirham national road and transportation investment program, aiming to completely transform the transportation infrastructure by 2030. The announcement was made at the UAE government’s annual meeting in Abu Dhabi, where the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure emphasized that the developments aim not only to ease congestion but also to improve the quality of life in the country.

Plans for the New Fourth Federal Highway

The planned new corridor would become the country's fourth major highway connecting the emirates. Currently, three significant federal highways serve traffic between Dubai and the Northern Emirates: E11 (Al Ittihad Road), E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road), and E611 (Emirates Road). They handle more than 850,000 vehicles daily and experience considerable stress, especially during peak times. The new highway would run alongside the existing three major routes, contributing significantly to relieving the current overload.

The fourth route would feature 12 lanes, with 6 lanes serving each direction’s traffic. Capable of handling up to 360,000 trips, the new section could play a key role in alleviating the already highly congested transportation hubs between Dubai and the northern cities.

Major Expansions on Existing Federal Highways

Alongside the new route, the three existing major highways will also undergo significant capacity expansions. According to the plans:

E11 (Al Ittihad Road) – will be expanded by three lanes in both directions, making it 12 lanes wide in total. This will increase the traffic capacity by 60%.

E611 (Emirates Road) – will become 10 lanes wide throughout its length, leading to a 65% capacity increase and potentially reducing travel time by up to 45%.

E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road) – will also become 10 lanes wide, increasing traffic capacity by 45%.

The works have already commenced on the Emirates Road, for which 750 million dirhams have been allocated. The project is expected to be completed within two years and will significantly contribute to bringing the UAE road network up to future mobility demands.

Reducing Congestion as a Key Issue

The expansion of the federal road network is no coincidence. Due to population and economic growth, major routes, especially between Dubai and the northern emirates, have become extremely congested. A previous survey suggested that during peak hours, congestion could cost workers up to 20 hours per week – more than 1,000 hours of annual loss.

The planned expansions aim to make the country's federal transportation system more efficient, which is expected to be 73% more effective over the next five years, partly by increasing the number of lanes from 19 to 33.

The Long-term Goal: Intelligent and Sustainable Infrastructure

The transportation investments align with the UAE’s long-term development strategy outlined in the Centennial Plan 2071. Its focus lies in establishing a smart, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure that not only addresses current transportation issues but also proactively supports the country's economic and social growth.

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure stated that several studies are underway to modernize existing roads and explore new transportation routes. These efforts target the development of a unified, modern, safe, and intelligent transportation system that caters to growing demands while enhancing traffic safety and environmental sustainability.

Strengthening Connections between Dubai and Northern Emirates

Dubai could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of these developments, as the city plays a central role in the UAE’s economic and logistical network. The new routes could not only shorten commuting times but also boost the efficiency of cargo transportation, tourism, and business relations.

The construction of the fourth federal highway and the expansion of existing roads is a strategic move by the UAE that further enhances the country's competitiveness and livability.

Summary

The UAE's ambitious transportation development program is another step towards the future. The construction of the fourth nationwide federal highway and the expansion of the existing three main roads aim not only to alleviate traffic congestion but to elevate the entire country's mobility vision to a new level. The transportation links between Dubai and the northern emirates have never been on such a strong development trajectory – the goal is clear: to ensure faster, safer, and more sustainable transportation for the coming decades.

(The article is based on information announced at the UAE government's annual meeting.)