Dubai-Sharjah traffic: Heavy jams hit E11, E311 and key commuter roads

Dubai: Commuters travelling between Sharjah and Dubai faced a difficult Thursday morning rush on August 20, with Google Maps showing heavy congestion on E11 and E311, alongside several troublesome bottlenecks on roads feeding the main highways.

One of the worst stretches was E11/Al Ittihad Road heading from Sharjah towards Dubai. The supplied Google Maps data shows extensive dark-red traffic from around Al Majaz and Al Khan towards Al Taawun, Sahara Centre and Al Nahda, indicating very slow-moving conditions on the principal Dubai-bound corridor. Online traffic reporting from the morning confirms E11 and E311 were among the most congested routes.

Conditions were particularly difficult approaching the Dubai-Sharjah border, while connecting routes through Al Nahda and Al Qusais showed a mixture of red and amber sections. Several smaller roads, however, remained green, suggesting congestion was concentrated around major junctions and highway approaches rather than spread evenly across the district.

E311/Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road was another major trouble spot. The maps show long red sections through the Sharjah industrial areas towards Muwaileh, including around Industrial Areas 11 and 15 and the City Centre Al Zahia/Safari Mall approaches. This matches online reporting identifying E311 through the industrial areas and Muwaileh as a significant morning bottleneck.

There were further slowdowns on roads through Industrial Areas 2, 3 and 10, while motorists should remember that the temporary traffic diversion between Industrial Areas 12 and 13 remains in place until August 30 for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.

Central Sharjah offered some relief. Roads around Al Fayha, Kuwait Square and Al Mahatta were largely flowing, although short red sections appeared on approaches to major roundabouts and junctions. E88 also appeared considerably clearer than the main Dubai-bound corridors.

Farther into Dubai, conditions were mixed. The maps show congestion around D69 near Al Quoz and Business Bay, while routes around Dubai Creek, Festival City and sections of E11 appeared mostly free-flowing. Short queues were visible around Oud Metha and connecting roads.

Weather may also have affected some early journeys. The NCM issued red and yellow fog alerts on August 20, warning of visibility below 1,000 metres in affected areas until 8.30am.

Overall, commuters heading into Dubai faced the greatest pressure on E11 around Al Khan, Al Taawun, Sahara Centre and Al Nahda, and E311 through Sharjah's industrial districts and Muwaileh. Drivers should allow extra time and check live navigation before choosing an alternative route.