Dubai clears 80km fourth road corridor project

Dubai has approved a 80-kilometer Fourth Corridor road project that will link Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, aiming to ease congestion on the city's existing inter-emirate network. The project, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, is expected to increase infrastructure investment in the region.

Phase one of the project, which will extend 30 kilometers from Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah to Dubai-Al Ain Road in Dubai, will cost approximately AED3.5 billion. The route will feature 12 lanes in both directions, 72 bridges, 17 tunnels, and 45 stormwater drainage culverts. The first phase is projected to reduce journey time by around 60%, cutting travel time from 35 minutes to 14 minutes and serve approximately 600,000 people.

Phase two of the project will extend 50 kilometers from Dubai-Al Ain Road in Dubai to Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi. This phase will also include 12 lanes in each direction and the capacity to handle 24,000 vehicles per hour. The second phase is expected to decrease journey time by 52%, from 50 minutes to 24 minutes, and serve about 3.1 million people.

Transport authorities anticipate that the project will lessen traffic flow through populated areas, reduce pressure on existing arterial routes, and divert trucks away from congested zones. The fourth strategic road corridor connects the emirates following Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Ittihad Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road.

Transport specialists believe that the additional capacity could help redistribute traffic across Dubai's road network, although they caution that additional road space may generate more journeys over time. The project's success will depend on measures such as off-peak freight scheduling and closer integration with rail transport.