Dubai–Sharjah commuters faced a challenging start to the weekend on Friday morning as severe congestion brought traffic on key highways to a near standstill. Major routes including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) and Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) turned deep red on traffic maps, with travel times in some areas nearly doubling compared to normal conditions.
Heavy traffic volumes were reported from the early morning hours, particularly on routes leading from Sharjah into Dubai and vice versa. Commuters reported stop-and-go movement across long stretches of E311, while parts of E11 also experienced slow-moving traffic as vehicles funnelled through bottlenecks caused by ongoing road works and lane restrictions.
Traffic analysts noted that the congestion was driven by a combination of factors, including high commuter volumes at the end of the workweek, road maintenance activity, and merging traffic at key interchanges. Even minor incidents or lane reductions can significantly impact flow on these already busy corridors, especially during peak morning hours.
For many motorists, journeys that typically take 45 minutes to an hour stretched well beyond that, with some commuters reporting delays of up to 90 minutes. Navigation apps showed widespread congestion across feeder roads, as drivers attempted to divert through alternative routes, further increasing pressure on secondary streets.
Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists travelling between Dubai and Sharjah to plan journeys carefully, allow extra time, and consider alternative travel hours where possible. Public transport options, including buses and carpooling, are also encouraged as part of broader efforts to ease traffic congestion between the two emirates.
The Dubai–Sharjah corridor remains one of the busiest commuter routes in the UAE, with thousands of residents travelling daily for work, education, and business. While long-term infrastructure upgrades are underway to improve traffic flow, short-term disruptions due to road works continue to test driver patience.
Traffic conditions are expected to gradually ease later in the day as peak commuter volumes decline. However, authorities advise motorists to stay updated through official traffic channels and navigation apps before setting out, particularly during weekends and holiday periods.
As congestion continues to be a recurring challenge, commuters are once again reminded of the importance of flexible travel planning and road safety during periods of heavy traffic.
