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The bridges provide safe mobility means for pedestrians crossing roadways, contribute to Dubai’s development into a bicycle-friendly city
Dubai has revealed plans for the construction of seven additional bridges, aimed at enhancing the safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians within the emirate.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), unveiled the successful completion of these seven new footbridges, strategically positioned in different areas across Dubai.
These bridges offer secure and convenient pathways for pedestrians to cross busy roads, supporting Dubai’s efforts to become a more bicycle-friendly city and fostering the overall well-being of the community.
Attaining these goals will maximise the happiness of both residents and visitors of Dubai.
A bridge connecting Al Khaleej Street between the intersection of Omar Bin Khattab Street and Abu Bakr Al Siddique Street, near Dubai Hospital is among the new footbridges.
In addition, six more footbridges totalling 888m in length are being constructed across Dubai. The design emphasized the use of aesthetic and innovative components, as well as hi-tech electromechanical systems, alarms, firefighting, and remote monitoring systems.
The bridges are equipped with dedicated bike tracks and racks.
Al Tayer said: “The construction of footbridges is consistent with Dubai’s traffic safety strategy, which aims to make the city the safest in the world in terms of traffic safety.
“It also seeks to reduce fatalities from run-over accidents to as low as zero by providing infrastructure and safety measures for motorists and cyclists.
“The construction of these bridges adheres to the highest international standards for traffic safety evidenced by numerous service facilities such as electric elevators, alarm and firefighting systems, remote monitoring and others.
“Meanwhile, attention was given to employing creative and aesthetic aspects during construction.”
The number of footbridges has increased tenfold in the past 17 years, from 13 in 2006 to 129 at the end of last year.
RTA intends to construct another 36 footbridges during 2021-2026, bringing the total number of pedestrian bridges to 165.
When crossing roadways, Al Tayer urged citizens, residents and tourists visiting Dubai to use footbridges and subways.
He also urged motorists to observe speed limits and slow down at pedestrian crossings to ensure their own and other road users’ safety.
Pedestrian-friendly city
RTA has inaugurated a new footbridge on Al Khaleej Street, connecting the junction of Omar Bin Al Khattab Street and Abu Bakr Al Siddique Street, near Dubai Hospital.
This bridge spans about 120m long, 3.4m wide, and 6.5m high from the asphalt.
It has two elevators, stairs, and a room for electromechanical systems like alarms, fire-fighting systems and remote monitoring systems.
Six-footbridges are presently under construction on different major streets in the emirate. These include:
A bridge on Al Mina Street situated between Al Saqr and Al Mina intersections
A bridge is on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street between Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street
A bridge on Ras Al Khor Road, forming a link between the Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area
A bridge on Ras Al Khor Road, directly across Marhaba Mall and Wasl Complex in Nadd Al Hamar
A bridge on Al Manara Road in the Al Quoz Creative Zone
A bridge on Al Khawaneej Street, opposite to the Arabian Centre
RTA has recently inaugurated a series of footbridges aimed at providing safe mobility means for pedestrians enabling them to cross the roads.
These bridges boast a distinctive design, that is influenced by the unique characteristics of each region and is in shape and colour harmony with the surrounding buildings.
Several factors were considered in choosing the locations for these footbridges, notably, the rate of run-over accidents, traffic intensity, mobility of residents between both sides of the road, distance from the nearest pedestrian crossing, locations of public transportation stations, and areas where markets, shopping centres, and government and private establishments are situated. |
