The Government of Dubai has approved the construction of a new highway corridor connecting Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with an estimated cost of Dh3.5bn ($953m) for the first phase.
The project, known as the New Fourth Corridor, spans roughly 80km and is designed to improve Dubai’s internal road network while strengthening connections with neighbouring emirates.
The corridor will run from Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi to Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah. It will pass through several significant locations, including Al Maktoum International Airport, Al Marmoom and Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation Reserves, and alongside the Etihad Rail route.
The new road is expected to facilitate logistics movements and improve access to various residential and development areas.
The project will be carried out in two main phases. The first phase will run approximately 30km from Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah to Dubai–Al Ain Road and will cost around Dh3.5bn.
The route will feature 12 lanes in both directions, with a total capacity of 24,000 vehicles an hour and is expected to cut travel time between the two points from 35 minutes to 14 minutes, a 60% reduction.
The first phase will also cover 55 lane-kilometres of at-grade roads, 21km of bridges and ramps, and 2.5km of tunnels.
As part of this phase, the Dubai–Al Ain Road will be widened from three to four lanes between the Emirates Road and Lehbab Road, and four major junctions will be upgraded.
Phase two will cover another 50km, from Dubai–Al Ain Road to Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi, including 12-lane roads with a capacity for 24,000 vehicles an hour.
The second phase aims to reduce journey time by 52%, from 50 minutes to 24 minutes, and will serve approximately 3.1 million people.
Construction in this phase will involve 190 lane-kilometres of at-grade roads, 157km of bridges and ramps, and 3.5km of tunnels.
The project will include 72 bridges, 45 stormwater drainage culverts and 17 tunnels.
The project is intended to divert heavy traffic, particularly trucks, away from city areas, improve road safety and enhance traffic flow.
UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum said: “We have approved the New Fourth Corridor project, spanning 80km, as a strategic addition to Dubai's road network.
“The project will strengthen Dubai’s connectivity with the federal road network, open new horizons for urban and economic growth, and support future projects in line with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing Dubai’s position as the world’s best city to live, work and visit.”
