The UAE’s Dh750 million Emirates Road Enhancement Project has reached 26.59% completion and is progressing ahead of schedule, with the major upgrade expected to ease congestion and improve travel times along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.
The project, led by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, is focused on the intersection of Emirates Road and Al Ain Road. Once completed, the number of lanes will double from three to six in each direction across an 11-kilometre stretch on both sides of the road.
The expansion is expected to increase the road’s capacity by around 9,000 vehicles and improve traffic flow efficiency to 70%. Officials say the changes could reduce travel times by as much as 65% for motorists using the route.
Aisha Al Zaabi, Director of Infrastructure Development Projects at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, provided an update during an inspection of the construction site.
She said the project includes 14 bridges with a combined length of 2.1 kilometres, along with five tunnels. The increased number of lanes is designed to significantly improve the movement of traffic and accommodate rising demand on the federal road network.
According to Al Zaabi, construction is 3.27% ahead of the planned schedule, highlighting the progress being made on what the ministry considers one of its key strategic infrastructure projects.
The site inspection also focused on the safety and welfare of workers involved in the construction. Officials highlighted the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy, which aims to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses among workers during the UAE’s particularly hot summer months.
The ministry thanked federal and local authorities involved in the project, along with partners supporting measures aimed at protecting construction workers.
The Emirates Road Enhancement Project was announced on 15 July 2025, with construction beginning in September that year under a two-year programme. The project has since been presented as an important part of the UAE’s plans to improve transport infrastructure and support future economic growth.
It was also highlighted during the UAE Government Annual Meetings as a major initiative aimed at improving traffic flow and addressing congestion. The project was later presented to the Federal National Council in April 2026 as part of the country’s Dh170 billion infrastructure investment programme.
The government has described the road upgrade as a major component of efforts to modernise the federal road network ahead of 2030. With traffic volumes continuing to rise, the project is expected to provide additional capacity and improve connectivity for commuters, commercial vehicles and communities using Emirates Road each day.
