E11: the UAE's national highway over the years – in pictures

  • A section of the E11, built by Khansaheb, is opened in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Photo: Alittihad
    A section of the E11, built by Khansaheb, is opened in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Photo: Alittihad
  • At the opening of the motorway, the flags of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are raised. Photo: Alittihad
    At the opening of the motorway, the flags of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are raised. Photo: Alittihad
  • A sign reading Sheikh Zayed Road on the newly opened section of the E1 in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s. Photo: Alittihad
    A sign reading Sheikh Zayed Road on the newly opened section of the E1 in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s. Photo: Alittihad
  • Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai World Trade Centre (R) was built alongside the E11 in 1979. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai World Trade Centre (R) was built alongside the E11 in 1979. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in 2008. The motorway passes through every emirate but Fujairah. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in 2008. The motorway passes through every emirate but Fujairah. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Work began on the motorway in 1968, though construction would not begin for another two years and would be completed a decade later. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Work began on the motorway in 1968, though construction would not begin for another two years and would be completed a decade later. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Evening traffic on the E11 on a night in December 2013 in Abu Dhabi, near Al Raha Beach. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Evening traffic on the E11 on a night in December 2013 in Abu Dhabi, near Al Raha Beach. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The E11 as it approaches the border between Ras Al Khaimah and Oman, pictured in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    The E11 as it approaches the border between Ras Al Khaimah and Oman, pictured in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • The E11 in May 2008. The motorway travels from the tip of Ras Al Khaimah to the border with Saudi Arabia in the south-west. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    The E11 in May 2008. The motorway travels from the tip of Ras Al Khaimah to the border with Saudi Arabia in the south-west. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • A supermarket on the E11 in Ras Al Khaimah, towards the border with Oman, in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    A supermarket on the E11 in Ras Al Khaimah, towards the border with Oman, in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Part of the E11 motorway in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    Part of the E11 motorway in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Motorists drive home along the E11 during rush-hour traffic in Abu Dhabi in April 2015. Lee Hoagland / The National
    Motorists drive home along the E11 during rush-hour traffic in Abu Dhabi in April 2015. Lee Hoagland / The National
  • Part of the E11 outside Abu Dhabi in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    Part of the E11 outside Abu Dhabi in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai in May 2008. Burj Khalifa is still under construction. Ryan Carter / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai in May 2008. Burj Khalifa is still under construction. Ryan Carter / The National
  • A junction along the E11 in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, in June 2008. Ryan Carter / The National
    A junction along the E11 in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, in June 2008. Ryan Carter / The National
  • The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in September 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in September 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National