3 days to go: Emirates Road fully reopens Aug 25, just in time for Back-to-School rush

Are you feeling frustrated at being stuck on some streets in Dubai for hours? Well, just three days remain until one of the city’s busiest arteries, Emirates Road, fully reopens following a major rehabilitation project by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The 14-km stretch linking Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi is scheduled to welcome back uninterrupted traffic on Monday, August 25, aligning perfectly with the new school year. RTA has made the announcement public through its social media post.

Check out the link below:

So, what’s been done

A complete, phased rehabilitation lasting 2-3 months covered both fast and slow lanes on both directions. Advanced inspection technologies, including laser detection and smoothness-scanning vehicles, were deployed to assess and address structural wear.

Pavement Quality Index (PQI) had dipped to 85 per cent, below the desired 90 per cent or higher, prompting full-scale repairs.

Work progressed in carefully planned phases, sometimes 400-500 meters at a time, and with major works carried out on weekends. Recently, Gulf News was given a first-hand experience through a ride in the two smart vehicles used for inspections. RTA officials provided detailed inputs and conducted a ground-level check on how the maintenance work was being carried out on the 14-km stretch.

What’s in store for us

While traffic has been slow on this stretch over the past weeks, the RTA promises smoother, more efficient drives across one of the UAE’s key travel routes. The project will also deliver enhanced road safety, reduced vehicle wear, and potentially less fuel consumption. Most importantly, it will bring relief from traffic delays, especially during the back-to-school rush.

Everyday commuters are already welcoming the news.
One driver from Sharjah said: “I’m looking forward to a smooth ride without the constant jams,” while another noted: “The upgrade will save me a lot of time… my commute will soon be predicable.”

So, the countdown has started. With just three days to go, we are poised to experience a newly revitalised Emirates Road just in time for the return of school traffic.