In the 1980s, the Sharjah-Dubai Highway (also known as Al Ittihad Road or E11) was a much simpler and less developed route compared to what it is today. Back then, the highway was mainly a two-lane road connecting the cities of Dubai and Sharjah, facilitating local traffic and basic commercial transport.
Al Ittihad Road: Dubai-Sharjah's main artery – A visual journey
Major expansions and upgrades have kept pace with rising traffic
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3 MIN READ
Al Ittihad Road, also known as the Dubai–Sharjah Road, has undergone significant transformations over the past five decades, evolving from a simple route connecting two emirates to one of the United Arab Emirates' busiest highways.
Gulf News archives and Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Initially, Al Ittihad Road was a simple connector designed to handle limited traffic with minimal infrastructure. In the early stages of Dubai's urbanization, major road projects, such as Al Ittihad, were not a priority. Dubai's cityscape was still taking shape, and much of the focus was on more immediate developments. However, as Dubai experienced rapid growth, the demand for an efficient transportation network surged. Al Ittihad Road quickly emerged as a crucial link between the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah, cementing its role as a vital transportation artery.
1982: Surrounded by open desert and sparse development, the road featured minimal signage, no interchanges, and basic infrastructure. Traffic was light, with few commuters and limited residential or commercial activity along the route.
The road's transformation reflects the city's exponential expansion. As Dubai's skyline grew taller and its economy flourished, Al Ittihad Road underwent a series of widening, upgrades, and modernization projects. These efforts were crucial in accommodating the rising traffic and catering to the increasing number of commuters travelling between the two emirates. Today, Al Ittihad Road stands as a modern, well-maintained highway, a central fixture in the daily lives of thousands of people.
A view on January 25, 1985, the Dubai-Sharjah road was a far cry from the bustling highway it is today. Cars flowed smoothly along the route, but the stretch between the two emirates was largely undeveloped, characterized by vast stretches of empty landscapes. The area had not yet seen the rapid urban growth that would transform it in the decades to come.
By 2006, the Dubai-Sharjah road had already become one of the UAE’s busiest routes, especially during peak hours.
At night, the traffic flow was steady, but the evening rush hour often saw significant congestion.
Serving as a critical lifeline for commuters, the road continues to embody the UAE's remarkable growth. Connecting Dubai with Sharjah plays a key role in fostering economic and social ties between the two cities. Al Ittihad, also known as E11, remains one of Dubai's busiest and most significant highways, and its ongoing evolution is a testament to the region's constant development.
2010: Cars taking the exit from Al Ittihad Road to Taawun Street, heading from Dubai to Sharjah. The scene captures the growing traffic flow as both cities continue to expand, with Al Ittihad Road serving as a key arterial route connecting the two emirates.
2013: Traffic on Al Ittihad Road in 2013 saw a shift as the Mamzar and Airport Tunnel Toll gates were activated. The introduction of tolls marks a significant development in the region’s traffic management, impacting the flow of vehicles between Dubai and Sharjah on one of the UAE’s busiest routes.
2025: The road now integrates seamlessly with Dubai’s metro and public transport networks, making it a key component in the UAE's vision for smart urban mobility.
With its strategic importance and cutting-edge infrastructure, Al Ittihad Road serves as a symbol of the UAE's rapid urbanization and its vision for the future. As both cities continue to grow, this iconic road will remain an enduring connector, helping to shape the region's future for years to come.
Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.
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