Dubai: The initiative, revealed at the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, aims to expand major highways, improve public transport, and pave the way for high-speed rail connectivity.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, unveiled the ambitious plan as part of the nation’s broader strategy to build a smart, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure that enhances quality of life and aligns with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.

Key projects under the initiative include widening Al Ittihad Road, one of the country’s busiest routes linking Sharjah and Dubai, by adding six new lanes, three in each direction. The expansion will boost the road’s capacity by 60 per cent, bringing the total to 12 lanes and significantly cutting daily congestion.

Emirates Road, a crucial inland motorway connecting several emirates, will be expanded to 10 lanes, increasing capacity by 65 per cent and slashing travel time by up to 45 per cent. Similarly, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, a vital link between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the northern emirates, will also be widened to 10 lanes, improving traffic flow by 45 per cent.

The plan further includes a feasibility study for a new 120km federal motorway, the country’s fourth, designed to handle up to 360,000 trips per day. In addition to highway expansions, the strategy outlines advancements in public transport and high-speed rail projects to accommodate the UAE’s surging population and economic growth.

The UAE’s population has risen sharply to 11 million as of July 2025, up from seven million in 2010, with Dubai alone surpassing four million residents in August. “These efforts come in implementation of the leadership’s directives to develop a sustainable infrastructure that enhances mobility, supports national development, and improves quality of life,” said Mr Al Mazrouei.