According to Gulf News, last week Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Nakheel, the master developer, joined forces to create direct entry and exit points to the Dubai Islands project from Bur Dubai. The project involves constructing a 1,425-meter-long bridge with four lanes in each direction.
CONNECTING DUBAI ISLANDS
This new bridge will offer direct access to the Dubai Islands project in Bur Dubai. It spans the Dubai Creek, running between the Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid Development Project. With a length of 1,425 meters and four lanes in each direction, it can handle up to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. It is also 15.5 meters above Dubai Creek and includes a 75-meter-wide canal for different types of ships to pass through.
CYCLIST AND PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY
The project will have a special lane for cyclists and pedestrians on one side of the bridge. It will also include two elevators at both ends providing easy access for pedestrians and cyclists.
ROAD CONNECTIVITY
To improve connections, the company is building new surface roads. These roads will be about 2,000 meters long and will connect to the existing roads on both sides of Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai. They plan to finish this entire project by 2026.
FORMALISED AGREEMENT
Both parties signed a formal agreement on the 13th of September 2023 for this major infrastructure project. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of RTA, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of Nakheel, signed the agreement. Also present were Nakheel Managing Director Issam Galadari, Group CEO Naaman Atallah, and senior RTA officials, including Engineer Maitha bin Adai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency, Moaza Al Marri, Executive Director, and Hamad Al Shehi, Director of Roads.
A KEY PROJECT FOR DUBAI
Mattar Al Tayer said it's the second agreement between RTA and Nakheel for entrances and exits to Dubai Islands. In 2020, they built three bridges at the junction of Al Khaleej Street and Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, spanning 1.6 kilometres, to provide access to Dubai Islands.
This project is a crucial part of the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project. It's one of RTA's most important projects, costing AED 5.3 billion in total. The project includes building 15 intersections covering a total of 13 kilometres. It's expected to benefit about one million people, cutting travel time from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030. Over 20 years, the time saved will add up to a value of approximately AED 45 billion.
INVESTING IN INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, the Managing Director of the Investment Corporation of Dubai and Nakheel Board Chairman, talked about Nakheel and RTA's dedication to innovation and sustainable environments. He said that Dubai Islands, a waterfront development, will have road bridges for both land and water transport. He's excited to work with RTA to make the Dubai Islands a reality.
AN IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR DUBAI'S FUTURE
The project is a significant move for Dubai's future. The goal is to make the city more efficient and sustainable. It'll help millions of residents and save billions of dirhams in travel time in the years ahead. This shows how important it is for the city's future.
Photo Credits: Nakheel
