Sharjah bridge plan targets faster journeys

Sharjah has approved a AED140 million bridge project on Mleiha Road to improve traffic movement at one of the emirate’s important road connections, with work scheduled to begin immediately and completion targeted within one year.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, cleared the project as part of continuing efforts to upgrade the emirate’s transport network and ease pressure on busy road corridors. The bridge will connect Mleiha Road with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Bridge at the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and Mleiha Road, creating a more direct link for motorists moving between residential, commercial and inter-emirate routes.

The project, valued at about $38.1 million, is designed to improve traffic flow in all directions and reduce journey times by about nine minutes. For commuters, logistics operators and residents using the corridor daily, the time saving could help cut delays during peak periods and improve access to several fast-growing areas of Sharjah.

Engineer Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, announced the approval during an interview on the Direct Line programme aired on Sharjah Radio and Television. He said the bridge would support smoother vehicle movement at the junction and strengthen connectivity with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, a key federal artery linking Sharjah with Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and other parts of the UAE.

Mleiha Road has become a strategically important route because of its connection to residential districts, industrial zones, educational institutions, tourism destinations and inland communities. Rising population density, expanding business activity and the growth of suburban developments have increased pressure on Sharjah’s road network, particularly along corridors that feed into Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

The new bridge forms part of a broader infrastructure push by Sharjah to accommodate urban expansion while preserving movement between the city centre, central region and outer districts. Road upgrades have become essential as the emirate balances residential growth, industrial activity and tourism ambitions, including demand linked to Mleiha’s archaeological and desert attractions.

Sharjah’s transport planning has increasingly focused on grade-separated junctions, wider road capacity and smoother transitions between local and federal roads. Such projects are intended to reduce traffic signals, shorten waiting times and improve road safety by separating vehicle streams at high-demand intersections. Bridges and interchanges also reduce bottlenecks that can spread congestion across adjoining roads during morning and evening peaks.

The project comes as Sharjah continues to develop infrastructure linked to its wider economic strategy. The emirate has been expanding transport, drainage and public works projects to support business districts, residential communities and tourism assets. Investments in road efficiency are particularly important for logistics and small businesses, which depend on reliable travel times between Sharjah, Dubai and the northern emirates.

Mleiha’s significance extends beyond daily mobility. The area is part of Sharjah’s central region and is closely associated with heritage, archaeology and desert tourism. Improved access could support visitor movement to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, desert lodges and adventure tourism facilities, while also benefiting residents of nearby communities and users travelling towards Al Dhaid and the east coast.

For Sharjah, the challenge is to expand capacity without encouraging unmanaged congestion elsewhere. Faster links can attract more traffic if adjoining roads are not upgraded in parallel. Authorities are therefore likely to assess signal timing, lane distribution, entry and exit ramps, and safety measures around the intersection as the project moves into execution.

Construction beginning immediately suggests that preparatory design and planning work has already advanced. During the building phase, traffic diversions and temporary lane changes may be required, particularly at the Mleiha Road intersection. Managing those diversions will be central to limiting disruption for commuters and commercial transport operators.

Sharjah’s roads authority has placed emphasis on practical, targeted projects that address specific pressure points rather than relying only on large-scale expansion. The Mleiha Road bridge fits that pattern: a high-impact intervention at a junction where improved connectivity can produce measurable time savings and better traffic distribution.