Watch: Al Maktoum Bridge goes through extensive maintenance work

An extensive maintenance programme has been completed on Dubai's Al Maktoum Bridge to ensure continuous traffic flow on the vital crossing between Deira and Bur Dubai.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said it conducted about 104 routine and corrective maintenance operations on the bridge in 2023, which required 5,222 working hours.

The bridge goes through a structured maintenance plan divided into five phases - daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly, in addition to an annual major overhaul.

The bulk of these checks are scheduled during the closure of the crossing, after midnight, twice a week, to ensure minimal traffic disruption.

Dubai's #RTA confirmed that Al Maktoum Bridge is subjected to yearly comprehensive maintenance to ensure its sustainability and efficiency in handling traffic. The bridge, which is the oldest in Dubai, is crucial for crossing between Deira and Bur Dubai. RTA is always keen to… pic.twitter.com/jk2cI1jqhv

— RTA (@rta_dubai) January 8, 2024

Al Maktoum Bridge is one of the five oldest crossings over Dubai Creek and was the first to be inaugurated in 1962 to facilitate the movement of people between Bur Dubai and Deira.

"It is one of the most sophisticated movable bridges as it is fitted with hydraulic pumps that enable the bridge to open and close. This functionality is crucial for facilitating maritime navigation in Dubai Creek, allowing ships and high boats to pass underneath. This feature simplifies operational checks of all vital machinery and routine inspections, including the monitoring of parts that require lubrication," said Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.