RTA says new bridges will be built in a number of vital locations, seven to be constructed this year.
New bridges for busy areas, seven to be built this year
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is planning to build 19 pedestrian bridges in 2014 and 2015 in certain busy areas of the emirate. According to the plan, endorsed by the RTA Board of Directors, seven such bridges will be constructed this year, and the remaining 12 are set for construction next year.
Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, said the new bridges will be built in a number of vital locations that see dense pedestrian movement between the two sides of the road, areas with large number of shops and organisations, and locations recording high run-over accidents,” said Al Tayer.
The RTA will start the construction of seven pedestrian bridges this month onwards. Five of these bridges will be fitted with lifts, including a bridge on Bani Yas Street near the Marina, a bridge on Al Mina Street, two bridges on Baghdad Street (the first near the Pakistani School, and the second near the Aqua Park), and one bridge at each of Al Maktoum Street, Amman Street, and Al Rasheed Street. The new bridges will be completed by the last quarter of 2015, he said.
In 2015, the RTA will construct 12 pedestrian bridges distributed over a several vital locations including Bani Yas Street near the Dubai Municipality building and a bridge on Damascus and Al Nahada Streets.
The RTA adopts specific standards in designing and constructing pedestrian bridges in Dubai through by conducting traffic studies and surveys that address population density, driving speed, services provided on both sides of the road and the number of traffic accidents in the area, he said.
The RTA has recently constructed 13 footbridges comprising a pedestrian bridge on Al Saada Street opposite to the World Trade Centre (Conventions Hall) spanning 92 metres and fitted with two lifts in each direction to accommodate the huge number of visitors to the Centre. It has also completed the construction of two bridges over the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, the first is near the fruits and vegetables market stretching 100 metres, and the second is near Workers Quarters at Muhaisnah extending 86 metres. The RTA has also constructed footbridges over Al Mina Street, Shaikh Rashid Street, Umm Suqeim Street, Al Whuhaida Street, Amman Street, Latifa bint Hamdan Street, Abu Baker Al Siddique Street, Al Khaleej Street (Deira City Centre Metro Station), Al Mankhool Street, and Al Rasheed Street. Work is currently under way on four covered and air-conditioned pedestrian bridges for the Dubai Tram project; two over Al Suffouh Street to serve tram users and residents on both roadsides, and the other two link Tecom with the community in the opposite side of the road, and the Dubai Marina Mall,” he further added.
Al Tayer urged citizens, residents and visitors to use the bridges and subways dedicated for crossing roads, and also asked motorists to abide by the specific speed limits and slow down at pedestrian crossing points for their own safety and the safety of road users.
