A new road connection from Dubai towards Expo Centre Sharjah has partially opened. The first phase of the Al Taawun Interchange project now allows one-way traffic from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards the exhibition centre. Gulf Today says several new bridges and junctions are operating. It should help with Book Fair traffic, but the wider project is not finished.

The details

Sharjah has opened the first phase of a major road project designed to improve traffic movement between the emirate and Dubai.

The opening took place on 4 November 2026.

The project includes the partial opening of Al Taawun Interchange and the operation of several newly constructed bridges and road junctions.

According to Sharjah24, the first phase provides a one-way connection from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah.

The arrangement is intended to improve access to the exhibition centre during the Sharjah International Book Fair, which opened on the same day.

The wider project comprises five principal sections covering improvements to Al Taawun Tunnel, Al Khulafa Al Rashideen Interchange, industrial area junctions and sections of the Ring Road.

Plans include widening existing roads, constructing additional bridges and improving connections between major routes serving residential, commercial and industrial districts.

The Al Taawun Tunnel project includes a planned 560-metre tunnel with three lanes in each direction.

Further stages will bring additional road connections into operation.

For motorists, the important distinction is that only the announced first-phase connections are currently open.

Drivers should follow the latest road signs and traffic directions when approaching Al Taawun, Al Khan and Expo Centre Sharjah.

The eventual traffic-capacity benefits of the complete project should not be confused with the impact of the partial opening.