Motorists travelling through one of Sharjah’s busiest educational corridors will need to plan their journeys carefully over the coming weeks after authorities announced a temporary traffic diversion to facilitate construction linked to the UAE’s ambitious Etihad Rail Station Access Roads Project.The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) confirmed that the diversion affects roads between University City and Institutes Land (Ard Al Maahid). The temporary changes are designed to allow work on access roads that will eventually connect the area to the UAE’s growing national passenger railway network. The diversion comes as Etihad Rail continues expanding infrastructure ahead of the rollout of passenger services across the country.Authorities have urged motorists to follow the revised traffic signs, use designated alternative routes and allow extra travel time, particularly during morning and evening peak hours when the University City corridor experiences heavy traffic from students, university staff and commuters.
Which roads are affected?
According to SRTA, the diversion has been introduced as part of ongoing construction for the Etihad Rail Station Access Roads Project, one of several infrastructure upgrades supporting the launch of passenger rail services.The affected section lies between University City and Institutes Land (Ard Al Maahid). The temporary traffic arrangement is expected to remain in place until August, allowing engineers to complete major construction works safely while maintaining traffic flow through designated alternative routes.Authorities have asked drivers to obey temporary road signs, reduce speed near construction zones and cooperate with traffic management teams to minimise congestion and ensure the safety of road users and construction workers. The latest diversion follows a series of temporary road closures announced across Sharjah in recent months as infrastructure work accelerates to prepare the emirate for the arrival of Etihad Rail passenger services.
Why Sharjah is seeing more construction
The road works form part of the wider Etihad Rail programme, one of the UAE’s largest transport infrastructure projects.Launched in 2009, the national railway network spans more than 900 kilometres and is designed to connect all seven emirates, linking key cities, ports, airports and industrial centres while also forming part of the future GCC railway network. Freight services are already operational, while passenger services officially began rolling out in 2026.Sharjah plays a strategic role in the network because of its location between Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The emirate’s rail infrastructure will improve links with Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, while strengthening access to Sharjah International Airport, logistics centres and industrial zones.Once fully operational, the railway is expected to reduce dependence on private vehicles, ease pressure on major highways and provide faster, more sustainable travel options for both residents and visitors.
Etihad rail across the UAE
The construction work causing today’s traffic disruption is expected to deliver significant long-term transport benefits.Etihad Rail passenger trains can operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h, with routes linking 11 cities and regions across the UAE. Early passenger services include connections between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, offering journey times that are substantially shorter than travelling by road. The trains feature onboard Wi-Fi, charging points and multiple seating classes designed for commuters and leisure travellers alike. For Sharjah residents, the railway is expected to transform daily commuting by reducing congestion on heavily used roads connecting the emirate with Dubai and other neighbouring cities. The project also supports the UAE’s wider sustainability strategy by lowering carbon emissions and reducing the number of heavy vehicles on highways.
What you should know before travelling
With construction continuing over the coming weeks, SRTA is advising motorists to check their routes before setting off, allow additional travel time and follow all temporary traffic signs around the University City area. Drivers travelling during university opening hours and peak commuting periods are likely to experience the greatest delays. While the temporary diversions may create short-term inconvenience, authorities say the works are a necessary step in delivering one of the UAE’s most significant transport upgrades. Once completed, the new access roads will support Sharjah’s future Etihad Rail station and improve connectivity across the emirate, helping residents benefit from faster, safer and more environmentally friendly travel for decades to come.
