Sharjah has opened the first stage of a road project within a Dh750 million program linking the emirate with Dubai to ease congestion and improve access during a book fair, Gulf News reported Wednesday.
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah and a member of the Supreme Council, inaugurated the project’s first phase, Gulf News reported. The work includes a partial opening of Al Taawun Interchange and the start of operations on new bridges and intersections. The new setup provides a one-way route from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road toward Expo Centre Sharjah.
The change comes during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, held at Expo Centre Sharjah from Nov. 4 to 15. Gulf News reported that visitors from the UAE and overseas are expected at the 12-day event, and that the new links are intended to handle increased traffic around the venue. The route serves people traveling between Sharjah and Dubai as well as visitors to the exhibition center, the outlet said.
The opening is part of a wider road upgrade program announced by Sheikh Sultan in June, according to Gulf News. The program includes work at Al Taawun Roundabout and Al Khan Street, as well as connections to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
Plans call for the Al Taawun Tunnel to carry three traffic lanes in both directions. Gulf News said the tunnel could bring waits down by as much as 85% when fully operational. Daily commuters and Expo Centre Sharjah visitors are among those expected to benefit, and the report said the improvements are intended to strengthen links between residential, commercial and industrial districts and Dubai. Tunnel completion is scheduled for February 2027.
