The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has unveiled plans for a 1.4km four-lane bridge as part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. This bridge will connect Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai.
The Dubai Islands project will have entry and exit points directly linked to Bur Dubai through the bridge, spanning the Dubai Creek between the Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid Development Project.
The bridge, according to RTA, will measure 1,425 meters in length and consist of four lanes in each direction, with a total capacity of 16,000 vehicles per hour for both directions. It will stand 15.5 meters above Dubai Creek’s waters and will feature a 75-meter-wide canal to accommodate various types of ships navigating the creek.
The initiative includes a designated lane for cyclists and pedestrians on one side of the bridge. Additionally, two elevators will be installed at both ends to enhance the mobility of pedestrians and cyclists. Furthermore, the project outlines the creation of surface roads extending around 2,000 meters to connect with the current road networks at both the Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai ends.
Giant undertaking
On Wednesday, the agreement to construct a bridge connecting Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai was formalized by Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nakheel.
Al Tayer stated, “This marks the second agreement under the initiative to provide entrances and exits leading to Dubai Islands, a venture RTA successfully undertook in partnership with Nakheel in 2020… This project forms a key phase of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, one of the largest projects currently being undertaken by RTA with a total estimated cost of Dh5.3 billion. It encompasses the construction of 15 intersections spanning 13 km in total.”
He further explained, “The Corridor serves Deira and Bur Dubai in addition to several development projects such as Dubai Islands, Dubai Seafront, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid. As such, it is expected to serve about one million people. It will reduce travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes by 2030, and the time saved over 20 years will be worth about Dh45 billion.”
Al Shaibani added that Dubai Islands will have convenient access by both land and sea through well-planned road bridges and water transport.