Sharjah to Open First Phase of Al Taawun Tunnel Ahead of November 2026 Book Fair
By Thasmiya
Sharjah is preparing to open the first phase of the **Al Taawun Tunnel project in November 2026**, bringing potential relief to thousands of motorists who regularly travel between Sharjah and Dubai.
The 500-metre tunnel runs beneath Al Taawun Roundabout and is being developed as part of a wider **AED 750 million road improvement programme** designed to reduce congestion and strengthen connections between the two emirates.
The timing is particularly significant because the **45th Sharjah International Book Fair** will take place at Expo Centre Sharjah from **November 4 to 15, 2026**, when the Al Taawun area traditionally experiences increased visitor traffic.
## **What is the Al Taawun Tunnel?**
The Al Taawun Tunnel is a major road project being constructed beneath Al Taawun Roundabout in Sharjah.
The tunnel is approximately **500 metres long** and will provide **three lanes in each direction**, connecting Al Taawun Street towards Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai.
A new signal-controlled intersection is also being developed as part of the project. It is designed to handle approximately **4,200 vehicles per hour in each direction during peak periods**.
The project is intended to create smoother traffic movement around Al Taawun and provide easier access to Expo Centre Sharjah.
## **First phase targeted for November 2026**
The first phase is expected to become operational in **November 2026**.
Sharjah authorities have been accelerating work on the project, with construction taking place alongside temporary traffic diversions around Al Taawun.
Once the first phase is completed, traffic is expected to be partially transferred through the Al Taawun Tunnel while work moves into subsequent phases.
The wider project is expected to be fully completed in **February 2027**, according to the latest reported timeline.
## **Opening comes as Sharjah International Book Fair returns**
The timing could make a major difference for visitors heading to Expo Centre Sharjah.
The **45th Sharjah International Book Fair runs from November 4 to 15, 2026**, bringing readers, authors, publishers and industry professionals to the emirate for the 12-day event.
Oman will be the Guest of Honour at this year’s edition.
Expo Centre Sharjah is located in the Al Taawun area, meaning traffic around the venue can become particularly busy during major exhibitions.
Improving access to the centre is therefore one of the important benefits of the road project.
## **Direct access towards Expo Centre Sharjah**
The Al Taawun development has been designed to improve more than the daily Dubai commute.
The tunnel and surrounding road network are intended to provide motorists with a more direct and uninterrupted route towards **Expo Centre Sharjah**.
Directional signs will also guide drivers towards the exhibition centre and its parking facilities.
This could be especially useful during large events such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, when thousands of visitors travel to the area.
## **How much traffic can the tunnel handle?**
The tunnel will have three lanes travelling in each direction.
The accompanying intersection has been designed for approximately **4,200 vehicles per hour in each direction during peak periods**.
Gulf News separately reports the tunnel itself will accommodate around **4,000 vehicles per hour during peak periods**.
The additional capacity should help separate through-traffic from vehicles travelling locally around Al Taawun.
## **Could waiting times fall by 85%?**
Authorities expect the wider road improvements to significantly reduce congestion.
Gulf News reports that waiting times for motorists could eventually be reduced by **as much as 85%** once the improvements become operational.
Sharjah transport officials have also said that once the tunnel and surrounding roads are completed, waiting times at intersections could fall to approximately **40 seconds**.
The actual improvement experienced by individual motorists will naturally depend on traffic conditions, destination and time of travel.
## **Why Al Taawun is important for Dubai commuters**
Al Taawun is one of the busiest corridors connecting Sharjah and Dubai.
Residents from Al Taawun, Al Khan, Al Majaz, Al Nahda and surrounding communities use the area to reach Al Nahda Bridge and continue towards Dubai.
Heavy morning and evening commuter traffic has made the corridor a familiar bottleneck.
The new tunnel is designed to allow through-traffic to move beneath the existing junction, reducing the amount of traffic competing at surface level.
## **Part of a much bigger AED 750 million project**
Al Taawun Tunnel is only one component of Sharjah’s wider road-development programme.
The **AED 750 million scheme**, ordered by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, includes tunnels, road improvements and free-flow connections intended to strengthen links between Sharjah and Dubai.
The programme focuses on two major corridors: the Al Taawun route towards Al Nahda Bridge and Dubai, and the Al Khan Street corridor towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
## **What happens after the November opening?**
November’s opening does not mean construction across the entire project will be finished.
Traffic will be gradually transferred as individual phases become operational, allowing contractors to continue work on remaining sections.
The latest reported target for full completion of the Al Taawun Tunnel project is **February 2027**.
Motorists should therefore continue following temporary signs and Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority updates even after the first phase opens.
## **What motorists should know**
Until the new infrastructure becomes operational, drivers should continue checking navigation apps before travelling through Al Taawun.
Sharjah authorities have coordinated with navigation providers to keep closures and alternative routes updated. Motorists have also been advised to avoid the busiest periods where possible, particularly **7am to 9am** in the morning and **4pm to 7pm** in the evening.
Drivers attending the book fair should also follow dedicated signs towards Expo Centre Sharjah and its parking areas.
## **Why this matters**
For Sharjah residents who commute to Dubai every day, the November opening could represent an important milestone in tackling one of the city’s most persistent traffic bottlenecks.
It also arrives at an important time for Sharjah.
With the Sharjah International Book Fair bringing large visitor numbers to Expo Centre Sharjah from November 4 to 15, improved traffic movement around Al Taawun could make accessing the venue easier while simultaneously helping regular commuters.
The first opening will not mark the end of construction, but it will provide an early look at how Sharjah’s AED 750 million road transformation could reshape daily travel between Sharjah and Dubai.
## **Source Credits**
Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Sharjah24, Office of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Sharjah Book Authority, Expo Centre Sharjah, Gulf News and Khaleej Times.
## **Image Credits**
Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Sharjah24, Gulf News and Khaleej Times.
### **Official & Source Links**
Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority – Al Taawun Tunnel announcement
Sharjah24 – AED 750 million road development details
Sharjah International Book Fair information
Expo Centre Sharjah – 2026 event calendar
Khaleej Times – latest September 1 tunnel update
Gulf News – November opening and February 2027 completion update