Dubai road closures this week could affect your daily commute
If Emirates Road (E611) is part of your daily commute, you’ll want to take note. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced temporary Dubai road closures affecting a major highway and tunnel from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31, as autonomous taxi testing gets underway.
Which roads will be affected?
Three lanes of Emirates Road (E611), opposite Al Maktoum International Airport, will be temporarily closed. The Al Maktoum International Airport Tunnel will also be completely closed in both directions.
When will the closures take place?
The closures will be in effect for six days, from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31, between 9am and 4pm daily. If you regularly use these routes, particularly during the daytime, it’s worth allowing extra time for your journey. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow directional signs to avoid delays.
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Why are the roads closing?
The temporary closures are part of ongoing testing operations by autonomous taxi companies, as Dubai continues to expand its driverless transport network. The city has already introduced commercial autonomous taxi services in areas including Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, with further developments expected as the technology expands.
What’s next for driverless transport?
Autonomous vehicles are becoming an increasingly familiar part of the UAE’s transport plans. Earlier this month, a senior UAE official revealed that more than 10,000 autonomous taxis and delivery vans are expected to operate across the country by 2027. For now, if Emirates Road or the airport tunnel is part of your usual journey, keep the closure dates in mind and plan ahead.
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