UAE’s 68km E-911 Highway Moves to Design Stage

The UAE’s proposed 68-kilometre E-911 federal highway has reached a new planning milestone, with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure inviting engineering consultancy firms to submit bids for studies and design work on the route linking the Dubai–Sharjah border with Ras Al Khaimah.

The tender, numbered 2026-022, was issued on October 15, 2026, with bids due by October 23. Eligible Category A consultancy firms can apply for the contract, which covers engineering studies, design and optional supervision services, according to information reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times.

The proposed corridor is planned to extend to Al Shuhada Road in Ras Al Khaimah. It also includes an eight-kilometre connecting road to Emirates Road (E-611) in Umm Al Quwain. The planned highway is expected to have between 12 and 16 lanes across both directions combined, with the number varying along different sections.

For motorists travelling between Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, the project represents a proposed addition to the UAE’s federal road network. However, the tender is still focused on preparing the project for development; it does not mean the road is ready to open or that construction has begun.

What the E-911 highway project involves

The Fourth Federal Highway Corridor, designated E-911, is intended to provide another major road connection between the Dubai–Sharjah border and Ras Al Khaimah.

The proposed link to E-611 in Umm Al Quwain would connect the new corridor with an existing federal route. E-611 already serves as an alternative road connection between Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, according to the UAE Government’s official roadways information.

The new corridor’s proposed 12–16-lane configuration refers to the combined number of lanes across both directions, rather than 12–16 lanes in each direction. The final arrangement may vary by section as engineering work progresses.

The consultancy stage is intended to establish the technical details needed to advance the project. The tender information reported by Khaleej Times says the selected consultant will review and validate the existing concept design, carry out technical studies and investigations, and prepare preliminary and detailed designs alongside tender documents.

These steps are important because a proposed road alignment and concept design do not, by themselves, establish the final construction schedule or the precise design of every section.

Construction date and project cost remain key questions

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure had not disclosed a construction timetable or an estimated construction cost in the Gulf News report published on October 21. No confirmed opening date was provided in the reporting reviewed for this article.

The immediate milestone is therefore the appointment of a consultancy firm and the completion of the required studies and designs. Further information about construction arrangements, implementation phases and delivery dates would be needed before motorists could estimate when the highway might become available for travel.

The project has previously featured in wider federal infrastructure planning. In April 2026, The National reported that the proposed Fourth Federal Corridor was part of a Dh6 billion motorway plan. That earlier report provides context for the project’s scale, but the current tender reporting does not independently confirm a final construction budget.

E-911 is separate from Dubai’s new Fourth Corridor

The federal E-911 proposal should not be confused with Dubai’s separate New Fourth Corridor project, approved in September 2026.

According to the Dubai Government’s official announcement on September 16, the Dubai corridor will span approximately 80 kilometres, connecting Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah with Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi through a two-phase programme. The first phase is estimated to cost AED3.5 billion and will run from Al Shanouf Road to Dubai–Al Ain Road.

Although both projects aim to strengthen road connectivity, they have different routes and project scopes. The federal E-911 corridor is planned to link the Dubai–Sharjah border with Ras Al Khaimah, while Dubai’s New Fourth Corridor is intended to strengthen links between Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

For UAE residents, keeping the projects distinct matters when following announcements about road construction, travel times and future route options. Any specific reduction in journey times on E-911 should be treated as unconfirmed until supported by official project details.

The next key update for E-911 is the outcome of the consultancy tender and the subsequent technical and design work. Until the ministry publishes further implementation details, the highway remains a proposed infrastructure project rather than an operational route.

1. What is the UAE’s E-911 highway project?

E-911 is a proposed 68-kilometre federal highway corridor planned to connect the Dubai–Sharjah border with Al Shuhada Road in Ras Al Khaimah. The project also includes a planned connecting road to Emirates Road in Umm Al Quwain.

2. How many lanes will the E-911 highway have?

The proposed highway is expected to have between 12 and 16 lanes across both directions combined. The lane configuration is expected to vary along the route.

3. Where will the E-911 highway start and end?

The planned corridor will run from the Dubai–Sharjah border to Al Shuhada Road in Ras Al Khaimah. An additional eight-kilometre connecting road is planned to link it with Emirates Road (E-611) in Umm Al Quwain.

4. Has construction of the E-911 highway started?

The reporting reviewed confirms that the ministry has invited bids for consultancy, engineering studies and design work. It does not confirm that highway construction has started.

5. When will the E-911 highway open?

An official opening date has not been confirmed in the sources reviewed. The project must progress through its technical and design stages before a reliable construction and opening schedule can be established.

6. What is the deadline for E-911 consultancy bids?

Tender No. 2026-022 was issued on October 15, 2026, and the reported deadline for eligible Category A consultancy firms is October 23, 2026.

7. Will the E-911 highway connect to Emirates Road?

Yes. The proposed project includes an eight-kilometre link to Emirates Road (E-611) in Umm Al Quwain.

8. Is E-911 the same as Dubai’s new Fourth Corridor?

No. E-911 is a proposed federal route between the Dubai–Sharjah border and Ras Al Khaimah. Dubai’s separate New Fourth Corridor is an approximately 80-kilometre project linking Al Shanouf Road in Sharjah with Al Faya Road in Abu Dhabi