For years, navigating the Al Taawun Roundabout during rush hour has been a major source of frustration for Sharjah residents, with many reporting delays of at least 20 minutes just to clear the intersection. The heavy influx of traffic from all directions has long made the daily commute a grueling experience. As the first phase of the new Al Taawun Tunnel project nears its scheduled November opening, locals are optimistic that the upgrades will significantly streamline travel and ease the bottlenecks that have plagued the area for so long.

While the construction has forced residents to adapt to temporary inconveniences—such as walking children to main roads for bus pickups and finding alternative parking spots—the general sentiment remains one of patience. Locals are particularly hopeful that the tunnel, which will feature three lanes in each direction, will be operational in time for the Sharjah International Book Fair, a period that typically sees a massive surge in traffic around the Expo Centre. With the project designed to accommodate 4,200 vehicles per hour and reduce wait times by up to 85 percent, residents are eager to see these long-term benefits finally take shape.