{
  "id": 4846034,
  "title": "Sharjah to open first phase of Al Taawun Tunnel in November",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/sharjah-to-open-first-phase-of-al-taawun-tunnel-in-november",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T10:53:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/transport/sharjah-to-open-first-phase-of-al-taawun-tunnel-in-november-1.500659358"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sharjah is set to unveil the inaugural segment of the Al Taawun Tunnel in November 2026, as part of a broader initiative to alleviate one of the emirate's most congested links to Dubai and slash waiting times for drivers by up to 85%. Situated at Al Taawun Square, the tunnel will boast three lanes in each direction, capable of accommodating approximately 4,000 vehicles per hour during peak hours. The project, slated for completion by February 2027 according to Al Khaleej newspaper, aims to enhance traffic flow between Sharjah and Dubai, mitigate congestion, and establish a more direct route through Al Taawun towards Al Nahda and Dubai. In July, Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority disclosed that construction had advanced to 20%, with operations operating around the clock. The tunnel forms part of a larger plan to revamp key traffic arteries connecting Sharjah and Dubai, with additional upgrades anticipated for Al Taawun, Al Khan, and multiple significant junctions leading to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The first phase of this comprehensive program is also slated for release in November. Another ambitious endeavor underway is the refurbishment of the intersection between Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and Mleiha Road, where a three-lane bridge is being constructed at an estimated cost of Dh140 million. This endeavor is designed to expedite traffic en route to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and shorten commutes from central Sharjah to Mleiha. Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority, led by Chairman Yousif Khamis Al Othmani, is implementing an integrated transportation strategy encompassing road expansion, advanced systems, and sustainable public transit, with quality of life as the cornerstone of infrastructure planning. The authority is also ramping up the utilization of recycled asphalt, a procedure introduced in 2021 to recycle damaged road layers and repurpose extracted material, thereby diminishing construction duration and raw material utilization. Concurrently, Sharjah’s public transit is evolving, featuring a fleet of electric, hybrid, and natural-gas vehicles, alongside electric buses equipped with artificial-intelligence systems to scrutinize operational data and bolster safety. Moreover, the emirate is expanding its Bus on Demand service, enabling riders to summon journeys via an application instead of adhering to fixed routes. This service, extending to Muwaileh Commercial, Aljada, University City, Al Juraina, Al Qarain, and Al Nouf, aims to enhance access in neighborhoods lacking conventional bus lines. AI is being integrated within buses and taxis, with intercity buses equipped with cameras to monitor road conditions and driver behavior, while taxi cameras track driving patterns, passenger counts, incidents, and misplaced items. Sharjah's traffic reroutes intensify as major upgrades progress, including a Dh750 million Dubai project nearing 30% completion that has reduced journey times by 65%.",
  "summary": "Sharjah: Sharjah is preparing to open the first phase of the Al Taawun Tunnel in November 2026, part of a wider push to ease one of the emirate’s busiest routes towards Dubai and cut waiting times for motorists by as much as 85 per cent. The tunnel, being built at Al Taawun Square, will have three lanes in each direction and capacity for about 4,000 vehicles an hour during peak periods. The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}