The Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. ARCHIVE

UAE authorities have confirmed plans to build a new 12-lane national highway linking all emirates – a move designed to ease traffic congestion and boost connectivity nationwide. The project, revealed during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025, is part of a wider national strategy to expand transport networks and reduce bottlenecks across inter-emirate routes. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the new highway will span 120km and handle up to 360,000 trips per day, improving efficiency by 73 percent over the next five years. “The Ministry is implementing an integrated national plan to enhance the capacity and smoothness of the federal road network. This will positively impact quality of life and promote economic growth,” Al Mazrouei said. The upcoming road will become the fourth federal highway in the country, complementing expansions to the Emirates Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Al Ittihad Road—each set to increase capacity by up to 65 percent. The project is part of a Dh170 billion package of national transportation and road developments to 2030, which includes expanding three main highways connecting emirates, public and smart transport systems enhancements, and high-speed and light-rail projects. The UAE is also preparing to launch Etihad Rail’s passenger service by 2026, a step toward a fully integrated national transport network. “Traffic congestion remains a challenge due to rapid population growth and vehicle increase,” Al Mazrouei noted. “But with smart technologies and round-the-clock traffic monitoring, we’re moving toward sustainable and efficient mobility.” ICA/Expat Media
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