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19 March 2024

Sheikh Zayed Road diversions: Other routes

Published
By Bindu Rai and Majorie van Leijen

Click to enlarge the picture:

RTA tweeted: "We are now working on the Dubai Canal Project, please make sure to use the alternative roads #drive_safe"

As the impending Sheikh Zayed Road diversion reroutes one of the country’s busiest highways this weekend, several commuters are considering alternative arteries to avoid a potential traffic situation during the initial few days.

The Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed the diversions will cause changes in the traffic flow a day earlier than anticipated, with Friday October 24 seeing a temporary closure of the exit to Al Hadiqa Street and the loop to connect onto Meydan Street from Sheikh Zayed Road, when heading in the direction of Abu Dhabi.

Commuters are advised to either connect on to Al Wasl Road or Al Khail Road from interchange one or to drive further down to Al Manara Street exit (Interchange three) to connect to two main arteries on Friday during the closure.


The two exits, however, are expected to reopen to regular traffic by Saturday, when the Sheikh Zayed Road diversions will come into effect.

A six-lane diversion will reroute traffic from the current highway, post the Business Bay metro bridge, heading towards Abu Dhabi, and reconnect to the original road before Interchange two – an approximate 1km stretch.

From the diversion, several entries and exits will be available. The first street that it will pass is Umm al Amara street, leading towards Al Wasl Road or the internal roads of Al Safa area. The roundabout at the beginning of this street can be entered as usual; from the service lane of Sheikh Zayed Road, before hitting the diversion. However, from the roundabout back onto Sheikh Zayed Road would lead onto the diversion.


The next exit on route is the internal road between Emarat Atrium and Holiday Inn, leading towards Al Wasl Road or the internal roads of Al Safa area. This exit has been closed for traffic coming from Sheikh Zayed Road, but will be re-opened as the barriers will be removed, according to staff onsite.

It is unclear at this point whether the exit to 55th Street, bordering Al Safa Park will be reopened, as this is where Dubai Canal will be located eventually.

The diversion will lead back onto Sheikh Zayed Road just before the exit to Hadiqa Street and the bridge to connect to Meydan Street.


Those looking to avoid the diversions in its entirety can access Al Wasl Road from Interchange one, but will encounter roadworks in front of Al Safa Park as the Dubai Canal project makes headway in the internal areas.

While Jumeirah Beach Road is also expected to encounter a construction makeover in the coming months, the three-lane stretch connecting to Al Sufouh is still relatively free from jams, although several commuters complain of gridlock at the Madinat Jumeirah junction.

Commuters from Garhoud, Mirdiff and Sharjah may consider Al Khail Road as an alternative; however, expect congestion around the Meydan Street exit, especially if you are reconnecting to Al Hadiqa Street or Sheikh Zayed Road.


The Sheikh Zayed Road traffic diversions are part of the Dubai Canal project that will see a waterway connecting from Business Bay to the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

The diversions on the highway are part of the final project to construct an elevated road that will allow access for boats down the canal.

A new eight-lane road has been constructed for the same, whereby the seventh lane will serve as the hard shoulder and the last lane will function as a service road for internal traffic in Al Safa area.

The Al Safa internal diversions are also expected to be lifted from Saturday.