Dubai will temporarily close three lanes on Emirates Road (E611), opposite Al Maktoum International Airport, and shut the airport tunnel in both directions from October 26 to 31, 2026. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the restrictions to support autonomous taxi testing. Motorists travelling through the affected area between 9 am and 4 pm should plan their journeys in advance and follow directional signs.
- Location: Emirates Road (E611) and Al Maktoum International Airport Tunnel, Dubai
- Organisation: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Dates: October 26–31, 2026
- Timings: 9am to 4pm daily
- Who is affected: Motorists using the affected road sections and airport tunnel
- Reason: Autonomous taxi highway testing
- What’s next: Drivers should plan their journeys and follow road signs
Dubai will close three lanes on Emirates Road (E611) and the Al Maktoum International Airport Tunnel from October 26 to 31, 2026, as autonomous taxi companies carry out highway testing. The RTA announced the temporary restrictions on October 25, asking motorists to plan their journeys in advance and follow directional signs.
The closures will apply daily between 9 am and 4 pm. Three lanes opposite Al Maktoum International Airport will be affected, while the entire airport tunnel will close in both directions.
The restrictions come as Dubai expands its driverless transport network and works towards making autonomous mobility a more common part of daily travel.
What motorists need to know about the E611 closures?
The restrictions will affect two key sections of the road network near Al Maktoum International Airport. Drivers should check their routes before leaving, particularly if their journeys take them through the affected area during the daytime closure hours.
The three-lane closure on E611 will apply to the section opposite the airport. Separately, the airport tunnel will be closed in both directions, meaning motorists cannot use it during the stated hours.
The RTA has advised drivers to allow time for their journeys and follow directional signs. No specific diversion routes have been confirmed in the announcement, so motorists should check current traffic updates before travelling.
The closures are scheduled to run from 9 am to 4 pm each day until October 31. Drivers should check for updated instructions before setting off.
Dubai is expanding its autonomous taxi services
The road closures come as Dubai moves from testing driverless vehicles towards wider commercial use.
In March 2026, the RTA announced the start of commercial autonomous taxi operations in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, working with Apollo Go and WeRide. The services are available through the Apollo Go and Uber apps, with local transport partners supporting fleet management and operations.
Autonomous taxis use technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital mapping and onboard sensors to understand their surroundings and respond to traffic conditions. These systems help vehicles navigate intersections, recognise pedestrians and interact with other road users.
Testing plays an important role in assessing how the technology performs in real-world conditions. It allows operators and transport authorities to evaluate vehicle behaviour, system reliability and how vehicles respond to changing traffic situations before expanding their use.
In September 2025, the RTA granted operational testing permits to Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide and Pony.ai. These approvals allowed the companies to test autonomous vehicles on Dubai’s roads as part of the emirate’s broader transport programme.
The RTA has not confirmed which companies are conducting the specific highway tests linked to the October closures.
Dubai targets 25% autonomous transport trips by 2030
Dubai’s expansion of driverless transport is linked to its Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25% of all transportation trips in the emirate autonomous by 2030.
The strategy covers more than taxis. It also includes other transport modes, such as buses, marine transport and aerial taxis, as Dubai looks to integrate autonomous technology across its mobility network.
In August 2026, the RTA reported that its robotaxi operations had recorded more than four million kilometres of travel and 7,613 passenger trips. The authority also reported a 97% customer satisfaction rate.
These figures indicate that autonomous taxis are already operating beyond the initial testing stage. However, wider deployment still depends on operational readiness, safety assessments and the ability to run the service reliably on public roads.
The current highway testing is part of this wider development. The RTA has not announced whether the temporary restrictions will lead to an immediate expansion of commercial services.
How the closures could affect residents and visitors?
The immediate impact will be on motorists who use E611 near Al Maktoum International Airport or rely on the airport tunnel during the affected hours.
Drivers heading towards the airport area should check their routes before departure and leave extra time where possible. Those travelling for work, deliveries or appointments should also account for possible changes to their usual journeys.
The closures may affect airport employees, logistics operators and businesses that depend on road access in the surrounding area. However, the scale of any traffic delays has not been confirmed, and the restrictions do not necessarily indicate disruption across Dubai’s wider road network.
Visitors travelling to or from the airport area should confirm their transport arrangements with their driver or service provider. Following official traffic updates will be particularly useful for anyone unfamiliar with the local road network.
Why It Matters?
Dubai’s temporary road closures highlight the work involved in introducing autonomous vehicles to busy urban roads. While driverless taxis offer another transport option for residents and visitors, their expansion requires testing, traffic management and safety assessments.
For residents, the immediate priority is planning journeys around the affected road sections. For transport operators and technology companies, the testing supports Dubai’s longer-term plans to expand autonomous mobility.
Motorists should monitor RTA announcements for changes to the closure schedule or additional traffic instructions. The current notice confirms restrictions through October 31, but it does not specify a date for the next phase of autonomous taxi testing.
FAQs
1. When will Dubai close E611 lanes for autonomous taxi testing?
The closures are scheduled from October 26 to 31, 2026, between 9 am and 4 pm daily.
2. Which part of Emirates Road will be closed?
Three lanes on Emirates Road (E611), opposite Al Maktoum International Airport, will be closed during the testing period.
3. Will the Al Maktoum International Airport Tunnel also close?
Yes. The entire tunnel will be closed in both directions during the announced hours.
4. Why is Dubai closing these roads?
The RTA announced the restrictions to support autonomous taxi companies conducting highway testing.
5. What should motorists do during the closures?
Motorists should plan their journeys, check traffic updates and follow directional signs. Allowing extra travel time may also help reduce disruption.
Dubai’s E611 lane and airport tunnel closures will affect motorists travelling near Al Maktoum International Airport from October 26 to 31. Drivers should plan ahead during the 9am to 4pm restriction window as the emirate continues testing autonomous transport technology.
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