During peak hours, long stretches of major routes are once again showing heavy congestion on navigation maps.
Not long ago, the drive between Dubai and Sharjah felt smoother, with traffic moving steadily for most of the journey. Now, frequent braking has returned. Congestion is building again, and during peak hours, long stretches of key routes are once more turning red on navigation maps.
Motorists say traffic levels between the two emirates are rising, with commute times gradually increasing at the same hours in some areas. Congestion is being reported along major routes such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Ittihad Road, as well as on internal roads linking to main highways.
By 7.30am, long stretches of major roads are already slowing down, with drivers saying journeys that once took around 30 minutes are now closer to an hour.
“I travel from Al Nahda, Sharjah to Al Quoz, Dubai every day, usually taking the Airport Tunnel route. A few weeks ago, I could leave at around 7.30am and reach in about 30 to 35 minutes. Now, at the same time, it is taking closer to an hour,” said Shareef M, a marketing executive at an automotive firm in Dubai.
Traffic begins to slow right from Shareef’s home in Al Nahda, Sharjah and continues up to Al Mulla Plaza along Al Ittihad Road. “Earlier, the roads were clear, but now it stays slower for longer. You keep moving, but it’s mostly stop-and-go,” he said.
Driving for over an hour
Syed Abbas, another resident who commutes daily using Al Khail Road, Oud Metha and the Infinity Bridge, said conditions have changed in recent weeks.
“My route is usually Al Khail Road from my office, then I cut through Oud Metha and take the Infinity Bridge towards Sharjah. It used to be a smooth drive, around 30 minutes,” said Abbas, a media professional.
“Now it feels different. The same route is taking over an hour on some days, especially with congestion near Oud Metha due to ongoing road widening, and with regular traffic returning on the Infinity Bridge. With expansion works towards Al Mamzar, traffic seems to be building across multiple roads, not just one stretch,” he added.
Traffic increase is visible
Drivers who spend long hours on the road say the increase is noticeable throughout the day. “I drive across Dubai and Sharjah using Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road or Al Ittihad Road. A few weeks ago, trips were faster and I could complete more rides in the same time,” said Abdullah, a taxi driver in Dubai.
“Now traffic has picked up again. What used to take 30 to 40 minutes is now going beyond an hour during peak periods. Even between trips, more time is spent moving through slower traffic,” he said.
Car-lift drivers following fixed routes and timings say the impact is also significant. “I start from Jebel Ali and pick up passengers from different areas, including hubs like Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Business Bay, before heading to Al Nahda in Sharjah,” said Abdul Latif.
“Earlier, I could complete the full trip in about one and a half hours. Now it takes more than two and a half hours on most days,” he said, noting that delays build up with each pickup point. “By the time we reach near the Sharjah border, traffic is already heavier.”
Some motorists also point to ongoing roadworks and lane diversions in parts of the UAE as contributing factors, with merging points and reduced lanes adding to delays during busy hours.
