Al Ittihad Road: Dubai-Sharjah's main artery – A visual journey

Major expansions and upgrades have kept pace with rising traffic

Last updated:
Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor
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.
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.

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.

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.

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
Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor
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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