Dubai to add 17 pedestrian bridges over next 3 years

Dubai to add 17 pedestrian bridges over next 3 years Staff Reporter / 5 May 2013 With a focus on pedestrian safety, the Roads and Transport Authority will construct 17 pedestrian bridges during 2013–2016, covering vital areas in Dubai, with the initial phase costing Dh45 million. Phase 1 of the plan will see the construction of nine bridges throughout 2013–2014 and by 2016, the total number of pedestrian bridges in Dubai will stand at 104 bridges. Currently, there are 87 bridges, including 34 footbridges at the metro stations, in the emirate. “The construction of pedestrian bridges is a testament to RTA’s endeavours to provide safe pedestrian crossing means. The locations of the new bridges have been selected in light of traffic studies guided by a host of parameters that include the intensity of pedestrian movement on both roadsides, concentration of shopping and business activities, and the frequency of run-over accidents (black points) recorded in the area,” said Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA Mattar Al Tayer. Two footbridges at Bani Yas Road (one located near building of Dubai Municipality) A bridge at Damascus Road, Al Mina Road, Baghdad Road, Al Maktoum Road, Al Khawaneej Road (near Arabian Centre), Al Khail Road (near Al Quoz Industrial Area), and one near Emirates Towers 2015–2016 phase includes: Eight footbridges to be constructed: Two at Al Awir Road; One each at Amman, Meydan, Damascus, Al Khawaneej, Al Quds and Doha Roads “According to the approved plan, nine bridges will be constructed in the initial phase (2013 and 2014) spanning several sites including: two footbridges at Bani Yas Road (one of them near the building of the Dubai Municipality), and a bridge at each of Damascus Road (near the Public Library), Al Mina Road, Baghdad Road, Al Maktoum Road, Al Khawaneej Road (near Arabian Centre), Al Khail Road (near Al Qouz Industrial Area), and near Emirates Towers”. He added that in the second phase (2015–2016), eight footbridges will be constructed covering several key locations, namely: two bridges at Al Awir Road, and one bridge at each of Amman, Meydan, Damascus, Al Khawaneej, Al Quds and Doha Roads. “In the near future, the RTA will construct a footbridge on Al Khail Road 1 (opposite to the Dubai World Trade Centre — Conventions Centre), spanning 92 metres and fitted with two lifts at each side in order to handle the huge number of visitors to the Centre,” added Al Tayer. “Work is up and running in constructing 13 pedestrian bridges at various sites in the Emirate of Dubai, some of them have been completed and construction works in the rest are set for completion next June. Among the key footbridges being developed are two bridges at the Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (the first is near the Vegetables & Fruits Market at Al Awir stretching 100 metres, and the second is near Workers Accommodation at Muhaisnah spanning 86metres). Other bridges are currently being constructed in other roads that include Al Mina Road, Shaikh Rashid Road, Umm Suqeim Road, Al Wuhaidah Road, Amman Road, Latifa bint Hamdan Road, Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, and Al Khaleej Road, in addition to four footbridges at Jebel Ali Industrial Area,” explained Al Tayer. RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Directors concluded his statement by calling on citizens and residents of Dubai to use footbridges and subways designated for crossing roads, and urged drivers to abide by the speed limits and slow down at the approaches of pedestrian crossings for their own safety and the safety of road users. nivriti@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International