Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced traffic improvements at Al Qiyadah Intersection, including a new lane from Al Ittihad Road.
The changes are expected to increase the intersection’s capacity and reduce peak-hour waiting times by up to 15%, according to the RTA. The improvements are particularly relevant for motorists travelling between Dubai and Sharjah and those heading towards Abu Hail and Salah Al Din Streets.
The upgrade is part of Dubai’s wider efforts to improve traffic flow at busy roads and intersections across the emirate.
- Location: Al Qiyadah Intersection, Al Ittihad Road, Dubai
- Organisation: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Status: Traffic improvements introduced
- Who is affected: Dubai-Sharjah commuters and motorists travelling through Deira
- Expected impact: Peak-hour waiting times could fall by up to 15%
- What’s next: RTA continues wider traffic improvement projects across Dubai
Dubai-Sharjah traffic could become smoother for thousands of motorists following new improvements at Al Qiyadah Intersection. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has added a new lane from Al Ittihad Road and made changes to traffic signals and road layouts to improve movement through the busy area.
According to the RTA, the changes are expected to increase the intersection’s capacity and reduce waiting times by up to 15% during peak periods. The upgrade matters particularly to motorists travelling between Dubai and Sharjah, as well as those heading towards Abu Hail and Salah Al Din Streets.
A new lane has been added at Al Qiyadah Intersection
The main change at Al Qiyadah Intersection is the addition of a new left-turn lane from Al Ittihad Road onto Abu Hail Street towards Salah Al Din Street.
The RTA created the additional lane by using part of the existing parallel parking area and a section of the central median. The move is designed to increase the number of vehicles that can pass through the intersection during busy periods.
Al Qiyadah Intersection sits on Al Ittihad Road, one of the main roads connecting Dubai and Sharjah. The route handles heavy traffic, particularly during weekday morning and evening rush hours.
The intersection also serves motorists travelling towards several important areas in Deira, including Abu Hail, Salah Al Din Street and Al Quds Street.
By improving capacity at the junction, the RTA aims to reduce delays and make traffic movement more efficient in one of Dubai’s busiest corridors.
Traffic signals and road layouts have also been upgraded
The project goes beyond the addition of a new lane.
According to the RTA, traffic signal timings at Al Qiyadah Intersection have been recalibrated to improve vehicle movement and make better use of the available road capacity.
The authority has also carried out improvements to the surrounding road infrastructure. These include road and pavement rehabilitation, adjustments to concrete barriers and lighting upgrades.
Additional parking spaces have also been introduced along Abu Hail Street as part of the wider works.
These changes may appear small compared with major road construction projects, but improvements at key intersections can have a noticeable impact on daily traffic movement.
For motorists, reducing bottlenecks at busy junctions can help make journeys more predictable, particularly during peak travel hours.
Why the Dubai-Sharjah corridor remains a major focus?
Traffic between Dubai and Sharjah continues to be a major concern for residents who regularly travel between the two emirates for work, business and other daily commitments.
Al Ittihad Road is one of several key routes linking Dubai and Sharjah, and congestion can build up quickly during peak periods.
The latest upgrade focuses on improving traffic flow at a specific bottleneck rather than building a completely new road. This approach allows the RTA to increase road efficiency by making targeted changes to existing infrastructure.
The improvements at Al Qiyadah Intersection are expected to benefit motorists travelling through Deira, including those continuing towards residential areas, workplaces and commercial districts.
For commuters, even a reduction in waiting time at a major intersection could help improve the overall journey during busy hours.
However, the RTA has said the expected reduction in waiting times at the upgraded intersection is up to 15%, meaning actual travel times across the wider Dubai-Sharjah journey may still vary depending on traffic conditions and other bottlenecks.
The project is part of Dubai’s wider traffic improvement programme
The Al Qiyadah Intersection upgrade comes as the RTA continues to introduce traffic improvements across Dubai.
In June 2026, the authority announced a wider programme of traffic “Quick Wins” covering 28 locations across the emirate. The projects are designed to improve road efficiency, traffic flow, safety and connectivity in busy residential, school and development areas.
The programme includes targeted changes such as road modifications, junction improvements and adjustments to traffic movement.
These smaller projects are designed to address immediate traffic challenges while larger transport and road infrastructure projects continue across the emirate.
Dubai’s growing population and continued development have increased the need for transport infrastructure that can adapt to changing travel patterns.
The RTA has been working on a combination of road upgrades, public transport expansion and targeted traffic solutions to support mobility across the city.
The improvements at Al Qiyadah Intersection reflect this approach, focusing on existing roads where changes can be made to improve capacity without requiring large-scale construction.
For UAE residents, particularly those who travel between Dubai and Sharjah, the latest upgrade could mean shorter waits at one of the key intersections along the busy corridor.
The main beneficiaries are expected to be:
- Daily commuters travelling between Dubai and Sharjah
- Motorists using Al Ittihad Road
- Residents travelling towards Abu Hail and Salah Al Din Streets
- Drivers moving through busy parts of Deira
The most immediate change is the additional traffic capacity at Al Qiyadah Intersection, supported by updated signal timings and road improvements.
The project is also part of the RTA’s wider efforts to address traffic challenges through targeted improvements at key locations across Dubai.
Motorists may not see every traffic bottleneck disappear overnight, but upgrades like this are intended to make individual junctions more efficient and reduce unnecessary delays.
What happens next for Dubai traffic?
The RTA is continuing its wider traffic improvement programme across Dubai, with projects planned at multiple locations.
The authority’s approach includes both major infrastructure developments and smaller upgrades designed to improve traffic flow more quickly.
As Dubai continues to expand, improving existing roads and intersections will remain an important part of managing traffic alongside investments in public transport and new road infrastructure.
For motorists using the Dubai-Sharjah corridor, the Al Qiyadah Intersection upgrade is the latest change aimed at making one of the UAE’s busiest daily travel routes more efficient.
FAQs
Where is the new Dubai traffic lane located?
The new lane has been added at Al Qiyadah Intersection on Al Ittihad Road in Dubai. It improves movement towards Abu Hail Street and Salah Al Din Street.
How much will waiting times be reduced?
According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, the improvements are expected to reduce waiting times at the intersection by up to 15% during peak periods.
Who will benefit from the Al Qiyadah Intersection upgrade?
The changes are expected to benefit motorists travelling between Dubai and Sharjah, as well as drivers heading towards Abu Hail, Salah Al Din Street and other parts of Deira.
What other changes were made at the intersection?
Along with the new lane, the RTA recalibrated traffic signal timings and carried out road, pavement, barrier and lighting improvements. Additional parking spaces were also introduced along Abu Hail Street.
Is the upgrade part of a wider Dubai traffic plan?
Yes. The project comes as part of the RTA’s wider efforts to improve traffic flow across Dubai. The authority has also announced traffic improvement projects at multiple locations under its “Quick Wins” programme.
Dubai’s latest traffic upgrade at Al Qiyadah Intersection is aimed at easing delays on one of the key routes serving motorists travelling between Dubai and Sharjah.
With a new lane, improved signal timings and other road upgrades, the RTA expects peak-hour waiting times at the intersection to fall by up to 15%. The project is also part of wider efforts to improve traffic flow across Dubai as the city continues to grow.
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