Etihad Rail: Sharjah Shifts Traffic Flow Near University Bridge Until October 5
By Thasmiya
Motorists travelling around Sharjah’s University City and Industrial Area 17 will face a new traffic arrangement from **Wednesday, August 26, until Monday, October 5, 2026**, as roadworks continue for the Etihad Rail Station Access Roads Project.
Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority has announced a partial opening between University City and the Institutes Land area, alongside a partial closure and diversion towards Mleiha Road.
The changes are intended to support construction of roads serving the future Etihad Rail station while maintaining access to surrounding schools, shops and services. ([Sharjah News](https://sharjahnews.gov.ae/news/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-6622?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **What is changing from August 26?**
Sharjah RTA will partially reopen the road connecting **University City and the Institutes Land area**.
Motorists will have **two lanes available in each direction**.
The route begins from **Industrial Area 17**, passes through **University Bridge** and continues towards **University City**. ([Sharjah News](https://sharjahnews.gov.ae/news/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-6622?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
This means traffic will be able to move through part of the corridor while construction continues elsewhere around the Etihad Rail access-road project.
## **Where is the partial closure?**
At the same time, a **partial road closure and traffic diversion** will be introduced for motorists travelling from **Industrial Area 17 towards Mleiha Road**.
Alternative routes have been arranged to maintain access to nearby destinations, including:
**Sharjah English School**
**Nesto Hypermarket**
Other businesses, facilities and services surrounding the affected area. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/etihad-rail-sharjah-route-diversion-industrial-area-17-oct-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Motorists travelling through this section should expect changes to their normal routes.
## **How long will the diversion remain?**
The latest official announcement states that the traffic arrangements will begin on:
**Wednesday, August 26, 2026**
and remain in effect until:
**Monday, October 5, 2026.** ([Sharjah News](https://sharjahnews.gov.ae/news/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-6622?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Drivers who regularly travel through University Bridge, Industrial Area 17, University City or towards Mleiha Road should therefore expect the changes to remain in place for several weeks.
## **Why is Sharjah changing the traffic flow?**
The diversion forms part of the **Etihad Rail Station Access Roads Project**.
The roadworks are being carried out to develop infrastructure around the station and improve the efficiency and flow of traffic serving the area. ([Sharjah News](https://sharjahnews.gov.ae/news/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-6622?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The wider project is particularly important because University City is a major educational district with universities, schools and other institutions attracting significant daily traffic.
## **Part of a longer series of Etihad Rail roadworks**
This is not the first traffic change introduced around University City for the project.
Sharjah RTA previously implemented temporary diversions between University City and the Institutes Land area from **July 4 until August 23, 2026** as part of the same Etihad Rail Station Access Roads Project. ([SRTA](https://srta.gov.ae/ar-ae/Media-Center/News/Detail/TemporaryTrafficDiversionEtihadRailStationAccessRoads-ar.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The latest arrangement effectively moves the roadworks into another phase, with part of the corridor reopening while traffic towards Mleiha Road is redirected.
## **What should motorists do?**
Drivers should follow the officially approved alternative routes rather than relying on their usual road pattern.
Sharjah RTA has specifically asked motorists to follow directional signs, approved diversions and road-safety instructions throughout the construction period. ([Sharjah News](https://sharjahnews.gov.ae/news/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%BA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-6622?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
It may also be useful to check live navigation before travelling, particularly during morning and evening peak hours when University City and surrounding roads can become busy.
Allowing additional journey time during the first few days of the new arrangement may help as motorists become familiar with the changed traffic flow.
## **Will surrounding destinations remain accessible?**
Yes. The traffic plan includes alternative routes intended to preserve access to facilities around the construction zone.
Sharjah English School, Nesto Hypermarket and other nearby services will remain accessible through the designated alternative routes. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/etihad-rail-sharjah-route-diversion-industrial-area-17-oct-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Motorists should pay close attention to temporary signs because the most convenient access point may differ from their usual route.
## **Why this matters**
The temporary changes may mean a few weeks of altered routes for motorists, but they form part of the infrastructure being developed around Sharjah’s Etihad Rail station.
From **August 26 to October 5**, the key thing for drivers to remember is that two lanes in each direction will operate from Industrial Area 17 through University Bridge towards University City, while traffic heading from Industrial Area 17 towards Mleiha Road will face a partial closure and diversion.
If this is part of your daily commute, checking the route before leaving could help you avoid unnecessary delays.
## **Source Credits**
Information source and resource owners: Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Sharjah Government, Sharjah24 and Khaleej Times.
Image sources are combined from AI-generated visuals and other platforms. For concerns email concerns@whatmatters.ae.