The first part of the new Al Taawun Interchange opened on Wednesday 4 November 2026, when Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi inaugurated the first phase of a project to build new traffic corridors between Sharjah and Dubai. If you drive between the two emirates every day, this changes some of your options, but not all of them yet.
This guide explains what is open now, which routes to use, and what changes when the full project, including the tunnel under Al Taawun Roundabout, is finished in early 2027.
Quick answer: Phase one opens part of the Al Taawun Interchange, plus several new bridges and junctions. It allows one-way traffic from Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah. The redesigned Al Taawun Square is also open. The 500-metre tunnel under the roundabout is due to be completed in February 2027.
Al Taawun Interchange: what opened on 4 November
| Part of the project | Status |
|---|---|
| Partial Al Taawun Interchange | Open from 4 Nov 2026 |
| New bridges and junctions | Several opened with phase one |
| Direction now possible | One-way, from Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah |
| Redesigned Al Taawun Square | Open to traffic from 4 Nov |
| Tunnel under Al Taawun Roundabout | 500 m, three lanes each way, due February 2027 |
Details come from Gulf Today’s report on the opening and Gulf News. The project is being delivered by Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) with Mubadara.
Best routes for Sharjah to Dubai commuters right now
The timing of the opening is linked to the Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre, which runs until 15 November. Based on the routes shared by SRTA and reported by Sharjah24, here is how the main movements work at the moment.
Coming from Dubai to Al Taawun or Expo Centre
Use the Al Nahda Interchange onto Al Taawun Street, then follow signs to the Al Taawun Tunnel Interchange. If you are on Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road, the new one-way link opened in phase one takes you towards Expo Centre.
Coming from inside Sharjah
Use Al Taawun Street or Al Corniche Street. From Al Ittihad Street, follow the signs to the Al Taawun Tunnel Interchange.
Leaving Al Taawun for Dubai
Phase one does not add a new route in this direction. The one-way link runs towards Expo Centre, not away from it, so the Dubai-bound route stays the same until the tunnel is finished.
Read More: Dubai-Sharjah Traffic: New Al Taawun Tunnel Could Cut Waiting Times By Up To 85%
What changes when the tunnel opens in 2027
The tunnel is the part commuters are really waiting for. According to project details shared by SRTA and Mubadara, it will run for 500 metres under Al Taawun Roundabout with three lanes in each direction, giving a direct path from Al Taawun Street to Al Nahda Bridge and on to Dubai. Figures released when the project was announced said waiting times for the affected movement could drop by up to 85 percent, and the new signalised junction is designed to handle around 4,200 vehicles an hour in each direction at peak times.
The project also links into Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street, Emirates Road and the planned Al Noor Road corridor, which should spread traffic across more routes.
What people are sharing about Al Taawun on Instagram
Al Taawun has been one of the most filmed construction sites in Sharjah this year. Residents who drive past it every day have been posting regular updates, and local pages have been explaining what the project means for commuters. Here are three posts worth watching before you drive the new layout.
What the tunnel will change, in one reel
UAE travel page @travelsdubai_ put together a short explainer on the Al Taawun tunnel, covering the 500-metre underground route and the expected cut in waiting times.
A resident’s view of the tunnel works
The Instagram page @dealsnearby has been posting near-daily videos of the tunnel site. This August update shows how much of the area was dug up before phase one opened.
Phase one, explained in a short reel
This reel from @the.travelbooklet, posted two days before the opening, sums up what phase one includes.
Book fair traffic: avoid the car if you can
Until 15 November, Al Taawun will be busier than usual because of the book fair. Organisers have arranged:
- Buses from Etisalat Metro Station in Dubai and City Centre Ajman at 9am, 1pm and 5pm, returning from Expo Centre at 12pm, 4pm and 9pm
- Free boats from Sharjah Aquarium and Al Qasba stations
- Extra free parking along the road from Expo Centre towards Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, with shuttles to the venue
- Expo Centre parking, including the multi-storey car park
Full details are in Sharjah24’s transport update. For everything else happening in the emirate this month, see our guide to things to do in Sharjah in November.
Practical tips for the next three months
- Update your maps app. Navigation apps can take a few days to pick up new junctions, so watch the road signs.
- Expect lane changes and diversions. Construction continues on the tunnel, so layouts may shift again before February.
- Avoid 4pm to 7pm on weekdays heading to Dubai through Al Taawun if you can.
- Follow SRTA on social media for closure and diversion notices.
Read More: Sharjah International Book Fair 2026: Free Entry, Timings and Parking
Pro Tip: If you live in Al Taawun and work in Dubai, try leaving 20 minutes earlier for the first week while drivers get used to the new layout. Traffic usually settles once regular commuters learn the new junctions.
Our Take
Phase one is useful, but it is mainly about getting people into the Al Taawun and Expo Centre area, especially during the book fair. The real relief for Dubai-bound commuters comes with the tunnel in February 2027. Until then, think of this as a better way in, not yet a faster way out.
FAQs
Is the Al Taawun Interchange open?
Part of it opened on 4 November 2026. The full project, including the tunnel, is due to be completed in February 2027.
Which direction does the new Al Taawun road go?
Phase one allows one-way traffic from Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road towards Expo Centre Sharjah.
When will the Al Taawun tunnel open?
The 500-metre tunnel under Al Taawun Roundabout is expected to be completed in February 2027.
Will the Al Taawun tunnel reduce Sharjah to Dubai traffic?
Earlier project figures say waiting times for the affected movement could drop by up to 85 percent once it opens.
How do I get to Expo Centre Sharjah during the book fair?
Use the free boats, the book fair buses from Etisalat Metro Station and City Centre Ajman, or the extra parking areas with shuttles.
