If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic between Dubai and Sharjah during rush hour, you know the frustration. This daily commute, which often stretches well beyond an hour, has been a major pain point for hundreds of thousands of residents. But relief is finally coming, and it’s not just about shorter commutes. This major infrastructure upgrade is going to reshape the entire real estate landscape of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
The Project: 750 Million AED to Cut Commute Times by 45%
Construction has already begun on the Emirates Road Enhancement Project, a transformative 750 million AED initiative by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure that started in September 2025.
Project Details:
- Timeline: Started September 2025, completion in 2027 (2-year project)
- Location: 25-kilometer stretch from Al Badee Interchange (Sharjah) to Umm Al Quwain
- Expansion: From 3 to 5 lanes in each direction
- Capacity Increase: 65% increase from 5,400 to 9,000 vehicles per hour
- New Infrastructure: Six directional bridges (12.6 km total)
- Commute Time Reduction: Up to 45%
What This Means for Your Commute:
- Current Sharjah-Dubai rush hour commute: 60 minutes → 33 minutes
- Current RAK-Dubai commute: 75-90 minutes → 40-50 minutes
Why This Transforms Real Estate Values
When commute times drop by 45%, areas that were “too far away” suddenly become “perfectly located.” Here’s the economics:
The Accessibility Premium: Properties near major transport improvements appreciate 15-30% faster than less accessible areas.
Economic Growth: Infrastructure brings businesses, jobs, and economic activity, all driving real estate demand.
Perception Shift: Major government investment signals long-term commitment, attracting investors who see growth potential.
The pattern repeats globally: better roads = higher real estate values. The northern emirates are next.
Sharjah: Affordability Meets Connectivity
Sharjah’s real estate market is already booming:
- 2024: 40 billion AED in transactions (48% increase)
- Through September 2025: 44.3 billion AED (58.3% increase)
- Properties remain 30-50% cheaper than Dubai
- Rental yields reaching 7.5%
High-Growth Areas:
- Al Majaz: 51.2% price increase in 2024
- Al Nahda: 7.5% rental yield with strong appreciation
- Planned communities (Aljada, Masaar): 18-25% rental increases
Investment Focus: Masaar by Arada
Masaar is a 19 million square foot planned community with over 50,000 trees, a green oasis directly along the Emirates Road corridor.
Current Prices:
- 2-bedroom townhouses: From 1.9 million AED
- 3-bedroom townhouses: From 2.4 million AED
- 4-bedroom townhouses: 2.8 million AED
Payment Plan: 5% down, 40/60 payment structure Completion: Q2 2026 Current Yields: 5-7%, expected to increase with road completion
Ajman: Maximum Value Entry Point
Why Now: Properties here offer Dubai-level amenities at Sharjah prices, positioned perfectly on the enhanced corridor. With construction already underway since September 2025, early investors buying now can still capture significant appreciation before the 2027 completion.
Ajman offers the UAE’s most affordable entry point with recent explosive growth:
- 2024: 21% transaction increase
- H1 2025: 37% increase
- Recent months showing continued momentum
Best Investment Areas:
- Ajman Downtown: 10.93% ROI
- Al Zahya: 6.8% ROI on villas
- Al Rashidiya: 8.74% ROI
Entry Price: Studios from just 207,000 AED
The Opportunity: Industry experts call Ajman “the next Sharjah.” With the road project eliminating the distance barrier, Ajman’s affordability becomes its superpower. Entry prices are a fraction of Sharjah or Dubai, but connectivity is about to equalize.
Umm Al Quwain: Emerging Luxury Coastal Hub
Historically quiet, Umm Al Quwain is positioning itself as a luxury coastal destination. The Emirates Road improvements make it accessible to Dubai professionals for the first time.
Investment Focus: Sobha Realty Projects
Sobha Realty has partnered with the UAQ government on landmark developments:
Sobha Siniya Island (Luxury Villas):
- 4-bedroom villas: From 10.5 million AED
- 5-bedroom villas: From 17.7 million AED
- 6-bedroom villas: From 24.4 million AED
- Payment: 10% down, 60/40 plan
- Completion: 2028
- Bonus: Properties over 2M AED qualify for 10-year Golden Visa
Sobha Downtown UAQ (Aquamont Apartments):
- 1-bedroom: From 1.1 million AED
- 2-bedroom: From 1.44 million AED
- 3-bedroom: From 4.3 million AED
- Payment: 20% down, 40% construction, 40% delivery
- Completion: Q4 2027
- Projected ROI: 8%
- Features: 11 km waterfront, 7 km beaches, marina, yacht club
Strategic Angle: Currently 40 minutes from Dubai via E11. With a 45% commute time reduction, UAQ becomes viable for daily commuting. Dubai-quality luxury at substantially reduced prices, with beachfront living increasingly rare in Dubai.
Ras Al Khaimah: From Weekend Retreat to Daily Living Option
RAK has seen explosive growth but remained a “weekend destination.” The road project changes everything:
- 2024 Transactions: 15.08 billion AED (118% increase)
- Q1 2025: 39% residential price surge
- Rental yields: Average 7.8%, some reaching 11.8%
Key Areas:
- Al Marjan Island: 10-15% appreciation near Wynn Resort
- Al Hamra Village: 31.5% price increase
- Manta Bay: Studios from 1.2M AED with projected 15% yields
The RAK Factor: Properties 30-50% below Dubai prices with premium amenities. The commute (currently 75-90 min) drops to 40-50 minutes after 2027. That’s the tipping point that transforms RAK from “too far” to “perfect.”
Investment Strategy: When to Act
Real estate values typically begin appreciating 12-18 months before infrastructure project completion. We’re in that window now.
Timeline:
- Now (December 2025): Construction underway, still time to capture appreciation before completion
- 2026: Ongoing construction, accelerating property appreciation
- 2027: Project completion, early investors realize significant gains
- Post-2027: New price reality as demand increases
Strategic Recommendations:
For Maximum Yield (8-12%):
- Ajman Downtown apartments
- RAK Al Hamra Village
- UAQ Sobha Downtown Aquamont
For Balanced Growth + Yield (6-8%):
- Sharjah Masaar townhouses
- Sharjah Al Majaz
- Ajman Al Zahya villas
For Long-Term Luxury:
- UAQ Sobha Siniya Island
- RAK Al Marjan Island
For Entry Level (Under 1M AED):
- Ajman studios (207K AED)
- Sharjah Al Nahda
The 2027 Reality
When construction is completed, the northern emirates won’t just be better connected—they’ll be transformed. Families will enjoy spacious villas in Sharjah or Ajman while maintaining careers in Dubai. Businesses will follow. The region becomes an integrated economic zone.
The Bottom Line
The 750 million AED road project is more than infrastructure—it’s a catalyst for the biggest demographic shift in UAE history outside Dubai.
The opportunity is time-sensitive:
- Masaar Sharjah: From 1.52M AED, completion 2026
- Sobha UAQ: From 1.1M AED for apartments to 10.5M AED for villas, completion 2027-2028
- Ajman Entry: From 207K AED
- RAK High Yield: 11-15% yields with improved access
The market already shows this transformation: 44.3 billion AED in Sharjah transactions, 118% RAK growth, explosive Ajman momentum.
Construction started in September 2025 and is now underway. Completion expected for 2027. The 45% commute time reduction will change where hundreds of thousands of people choose to live. Real estate values will reflect this change.
Smart money is moving now.
