New 120km Highway Proposed as Part of UAE’s Dh170-Billion Road Expansion

The plan was announced by Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, during the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi. If approved, the new corridor will join the existing E11 (Al Ittihad), E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed), and E611 (Emirates Road), strengthening links between Dubai and the Northern Emirates – one of the country’s busiest commuting corridors.

The project forms part of a wider modernisation effort to ease traffic and boost efficiency across the federal network. Etihad Road will be widened by six lanes – three in each direction – expanding capacity by 60 per cent. Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road will each increase to 10 lanes, expected to cut travel times by up to 45 per cent. Construction on the Dh750-million Emirates Road upgrade is already underway, with completion targeted within two years.

Al Mazrouei said the comprehensive expansion will raise the network’s overall efficiency by 73 per cent over the next five years. ‘These efforts come in implementation of the leadership’s directives to develop a smart, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure that enhances traffic flow, supports comprehensive development, and improves quality of life in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 plan,’ he said.