Dubai gets new pedestrian bridge, six more under construction

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened one of seven footbridges aimed at boosting pedestrian and biker safety in the city.

The bridge connecting Al Khaleej Street between intersection of Omar Bin Khattab Street and Abu Bakr Al Siddique Street, near Dubai Hospital, is among the new footbridges that will total 888 metres in length.

Equipped with dedicated bike tracks and racks, the design will feature hi-tech electric elevators, alarm and firefighting systems and remote monitoring facilities.

Each bridge will boost of distinct designs in keeping with the unique characteristics of the neighbourhood.

Of the six under construction, one is being built on Al Mina Street between Al Saqr and Al Mina intersections, another on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street between Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, and a third on Ras Al Khor Road, forming a link between the Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area.

The fourth bridge will be constructed on Ras Al Khor Road, directly across Marhaba Mall and Wasl Complex in Nadd Al Hamar, fifth on Al Manara Road in the Al Quoz Creative Zone and the sixth on Al Khawaneej Street, opposite Arabian Centre.

RTA said the areas were selected based on the rate of run-over accidents, traffic intensity, pedestrian population, distance from the nearest footbridge, location of public transportation stations, markets and offices.

"The construction of footbridges seeks to reduce fatalities from run-over accidents to as low as zero by providing infrastructure and safety measures for motorists and cyclists," highlighted Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

The number of footbridges has increased more than tenfold in the last 17 years, from 13 in 2006 to 129 at the end of 2022.

RTA plans to construct 36 more footbridges, bringing the total number of pedestrian bridges to 165 bridges by 2026, noted Al Tayer.