The UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al-Mazrouei, has announced a AED170bn ($46bn) package of national transport and road projects to be implemented by 2030.

Speaking at the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi on 5 November, Al-Mazrouei said the projects form part of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility across the country.

The initiatives include expanding major roads, upgrading public transport, and implementing high-speed and light rail projects.

Road expansion projects

Road projects include adding six lanes to Etihad Road – three in each direction – increasing its capacity by 60% to a total of 12 lanes.

Emirates Road will be expanded to 10 lanes along its full length, raising capacity by 65% and reducing travel time by 45%.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road will also be widened to 10 lanes, enhancing capacity by 45%.

The plan further includes a study for a fourth federal highway, extending 120 kilometres with 12 lanes and a capacity of up to 360,000 trips per day.

Work has already started on the AED750m Emirates Road upgrade, which is scheduled for completion within two years.

In July, Kuwaiti contractor Combined Group Contracting Company (CGCC) announced that its local subsidiary had secured a AED685m contract to upgrade Emirates Road from the Al-Badea intersection in Sharjah to the E55 intersection in Dubai.

Rail services

For rail, Etihad Rail remains on track to launch its passenger transport services by 2026 and has received bids from contractors for the design-and-build contract covering civil works and station packages for the high-speed railway (HSR) line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The HSR trains will have a design speed of 350km/h and an operating speed of 320km/h.

The proposed HSR programme will be developed in four phases, gradually extending connectivity across the UAE:

The first phase involves constructing a railway line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which is expected to be operational by 2030. The second phase will develop an inner‑city railway network with 10 stations within the city of Abu Dhabi. The third phase of the railway network involves constructing a connection between Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain. The fourth phase involves developing an inter-emirate connection between Dubai and Sharjah.

Light rail projects include the Abu Dhabi tram scheme, which was announced by Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC) in October. It will connect Zayed International airport (AUH) with nearby areas, including Yas Island, Al‑Raha Beach and Khalifa City.

Referred to as Abu Dhabi Tram Line 4, the project will be delivered in three phases. The first phase will connect AUH with Yas Island and the residential areas of Al‑Raha Beach. Future phases will extend towards Khalifa City and serve additional destinations across Yas Island.

Construction of the first phase is expected to start next year. The tram is slated to begin operations by 2030.