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'Absolutely worth it': Sharjah commuters welcome traffic delays for Etihad Rail project
The Etihad Rail network is expected to be operational in 2026, as residents await the major infrastructure project that will connect the emirates
- PUBLISHED: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 2:44 PM
For many Sharjah residents, the two-month closure of roads near Mleiha Road and the University Bridge has added extra minutes to their daily commute. But instead of frustration, most are seeing it as a small sacrifice for a project that will transform the way people travel across the UAE.
The Etihad Rail network is expected to be operational in 2026, and two stations have already been confirmed as residents await the major infrastructure project that will connect the emirates and extend to neighbouring Gulf countries.
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Launched in 2009, the network spans over 900km and will significantly reduce road congestion, carbon emissions, and heavy truck traffic across the country.
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'It doesn't bother me'
Ahmed Al Suwaidi, a resident who works in a government department in Sharjah and lives in the Al Siyouh suburb, said the temporary road closures have stretched his commute both in the morning and evening.
“I often travel by Mleiha Road because that’s the best road connecting my home in Al Siyouh to my office in Heera Sububrs in Sharjah. I reach my office in about 20 to 25 minutes,” said Al Suwaidi.
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Now, with the closure and traffic building up on the Mleiha Road, Al Suwaidi takes the diversion through the Sharjah Ring Road. “It adds another 15 minutes for me,” he said.
Ahmed leaves his home at 7:15am and reaches work around 8am. In the evenings, he said the return trip is also slower, especially near University Bridge, where traffic merges from different directions.
“But honestly, it doesn’t bother me. What we will get in return is a lifetime of comfortable travel on trains. This half-hour delay is nothing compared to the progress our country is making. It is truly mind-blowing to see how the UAE is developing,” added Al Suwaidi.
Another Emirati resident, Fatima Al Hammadi, who lives in Al Nuh, said she hardly notices the difference because of her routine of driving daily to Dubai for work.
“On weekdays, I leave home around 7am to head to Dubai, and I spend nearly two hours in traffic each day. Compared to that, the detour inside Sharjah is very minor,” she said.
When she visits her parents in Nazwa on weekends, she used to take Mleiha Road straight through, but now she takes the diversion via the Ring Road for a few kilometres before rejoining the highway.
“Yes, there’s a slight slowdown for about three to four kilometres near the construction area, but it is manageable,” she said.
“Because I am used to sitting in traffic during rush hours in Dubai, these small delays do not feel bothersome at all. If this inconvenience is helping build Etihad Rail, then it is absolutely worth it,” added Fatima.
Weekends are a bit tough
Indian resident Sandeep Kumar, who lives in Al Nahda and works in Mleiha, said the diversions have made his weekend trips slightly more difficult.
“On weekdays, I leave my home around 7am to reach my office by 8am, and the diversion doesn’t cause too much trouble. But on Fridays, it’s different,” he said.
“Fridays are the day many of us in Al Nahda drive out to meet friends and family or head towards the desert side. With the internal road near University Bridge closed, we directly reach Mleiha Road, and the congestion is heavy, especially after 7pm. It easily adds 20 minutes to the trip.”
Despite this, commuters do not complain and they are looking for a larger picture. “Yes, it feels tiring at times, especially when you are with family in the car, but this is temporary. Once Etihad Rail is ready, it will cut travel times massively and make these journeys stress-free. For that, I am happy to adjust for a few months.”
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.