Dubai: Motorists travelling between Dubai and Sharjah faced a slower-than-usual morning commute on Tuesday, September 22, with congestion concentrated around several major interchanges and feeder roads.
The latest traffic picture shows particularly heavy movement around Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, where the E66–E44 interchange is experiencing significant congestion. Other affected areas include Deira, roads approaching Dubai International Airport, Al Garhoud and parts of Sharjah.
The traffic update published by Gulf News at 8:38am identified multiple slow-moving corridors across the two emirates, based on live traffic information.
Ras Al Khor emerges as a key bottleneck
One of the most affected sections is around the E66–E44 interchange in Ras Al Khor Industrial Area. Traffic in the area is particularly heavy, with industrial and commercial vehicle movements adding to pressure on the road network, according to the traffic report.
The wider Ras Al Khor corridor is an important connection between central Dubai, Business Bay, Al Khail Road and several residential and commercial districts.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently introduced capacity improvements in this part of the network. In July, the authority said it had added lanes and upgraded entry and exit points on Ras Al Khor Road and Al Khail Road. RTA said those works increased road efficiency by 20 per cent, while a new lane on Ras Al Khor Road increased capacity on the relevant section from three to four lanes.
Despite those infrastructure improvements, individual junctions can still experience substantial pressure during peak periods.
Airport approaches also seeing delays
Drivers heading towards Dubai International Airport (DXB) are also encountering slower traffic.
The reported congestion extends through parts of Deira, including sections of D91 and D93 near Waterfront Market, with delays continuing towards interchanges serving the airport. Additional pressure was reported around Al Rashidiya and the D62 corridor, while traffic around City Centre Mirdif and the D89/D83 area was also affected.
For airport passengers, the traffic conditions are particularly relevant because delays on feeder roads can affect journey times even when the main airport access route itself remains open.
RTA has been working with Dubai Airports on transport and traffic planning for corridors serving DXB. On September 17, RTA said its Director General, Mattar Al Tayer, and Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths discussed traffic flow and transport plans for road corridors leading to and from Dubai International Airport.
Sharjah roads face pressure
The congestion is not confined to Dubai.
In Sharjah, traffic is particularly heavy around the Al Khan and Corniche corridors, including S112 and S115, while the Industrial Area 17/E311 interchange is also experiencing delays. Traffic pressure is also reported around Sahara Centre and roads leading towards University City.
These routes carry significant volumes of commuters travelling between Sharjah and Dubai, making congestion on local Sharjah roads capable of adding to delays before motorists reach the main inter-emirate corridors.
Other Dubai areas affected
Several additional parts of Dubai are seeing slower movement during the morning rush.
Traffic is heavy around the Al Sufouh and Dubai Media City interchange, where vehicles are joining Sheikh Zayed Road. Congestion has also been reported near Circle Mall and the Dubai Motor City interchange, as well as around Jumeirah Village Triangle.
Business Bay’s D71 junction and roads near Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park are among other locations experiencing slower traffic. School-zone traffic is also contributing to delays around the Dubai Silicon Oasis area and near Rugby School and Kent College.
What commuters should know
The traffic situation can change quickly during the morning peak, so motorists should check live road conditions before beginning a time-sensitive journey.
RTA provides journey-planning services and recommends its journey-planning tools, including the S’hail app, for checking transport and route information.
For people travelling to DXB, allowing extra time is particularly important when the journey passes through Deira, Al Garhoud, Ras Al Khor or other busy airport-access corridors.
There is no indication in the available information that Dubai’s major roads or Dubai International Airport have been closed. The issue reported on Tuesday morning is traffic congestion and slower movement, rather than a road or airport closure.
Motorists should follow traffic instructions, maintain safe distances and avoid sudden lane changes while moving through congested interchanges.
What happened on Dubai-Sharjah roads on September 22, 2026?
Motorists faced slower morning journeys across several Dubai and Sharjah corridors. Congestion was reported particularly around Ras Al Khor, Deira, airport approaches, Al Garhoud and Al Khan.
Which Dubai area is seeing heavy congestion?
Ras Al Khor Industrial Area is one of the main reported bottlenecks, particularly around the E66/E44 interchange.
Is Dubai International Airport closed?
No closure is reported in the available traffic update. Delays are affecting roads and interchanges approaching the airport.
Which Sharjah areas are affected?
Traffic is reported around Al Khan, the Corniche, Industrial Area 17, Sahara Centre and routes towards University City.
Are Dubai-Sharjah commuters affected?
Yes. Several roads used by commuters travelling between the two emirates are experiencing slower movement during the morning peak.
Has RTA made recent improvements to Ras Al Khor Road?
Yes. RTA said it added a lane and upgraded several entry and exit points on Ras Al Khor and Al Khail roads, reporting a 20 per cent improvement in road efficiency for the completed works.
What should motorists do?
Drivers making time-sensitive journeys should allow additional time, check live traffic conditions and consider alternative routes where appropriate
