Dubai - The bridges form a key part of the RTA's massive Shindagha Corridor project, which will cut travel time along a 13km stretch from 104 to only 16 minutes.
Published: Sat 8 Aug 2020, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Sun 9 Aug 2020, 4:46 PM
Dubai's five new bridges leading to Deira Islands were officially opened on Saturday, the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority announced.
Constructed in cooperation with Nakheel, these new roads are connected to an existing bridge crossing over the Dubai Water Canal. They form a key part of the RTA's massive Shindagha Corridor project, which stretches 13km along the Sheikh Rashid, Al Mina, Al Khaleej and Cairo Streets. This mega infrastructure, divided into five phases and expected to be completed in 2030, would cut transit time along the stretch from 104 to only 16 minutes.
"The newly constructed bridges and roads provide access points to and from Deira Islands at the intersection of Al Khaleej-Abu Baker Al Siddique Streets. The bridges span 2,571 metres in length and have a total capacity of 20,700 vehicles per hour," said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
Deira Islands is Dubai's new waterfront developed by Nakheel. It consists of four man-made islands where hundreds of hotels, furnished flats, mixed-use buildings and marinas are set to rise.
The first of the five bridges to the islands extends 472 metres and provides free movement for motorists on Al Khaleej St heading northwards. With two lanes, it can accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles per hour, Al Tayer said.
<"The second is a three-lane bridge that extends 503 metres and provides free traffic from Deira Islands in the direction of Al Shindagha Tunnel at a capacity of 4,500 vehicles per hour." Another two-lane bridge extends 647 metres from Deira Islands to Al Khaleej Street at a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour.
The fourth is the widest bridge, with six lanes extending 362 metres, linking with the internal roads of Deira Islands at a capacity of 7,200 vehicles per hour.
The last one is two-lane bridge that extends 587 metres and provides free traffic from Al Khaleej St southwards to Deira Islands at a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour.
"The design of the flyover crossing over Al Khaleej St allows for the construction of two more bridges in the direction of Abu Baker Al Siddique St. The project will raise the capacity of Al Khaleej St along a 1.8km stretch, and provide better traffic safety and services from the intersection of Abu Hail Northwards to Al Baraha Hospital southwards," Al Tayer said.
Two junctions with traffic signals where constructed to replace the roundabouts at the intersections with Abu Hail and Abu Baker Al Siddique Streets. Street improvements, including rails, traffic signs, lights and drainage systems, were also done, he added.
The Shindagha Corridor
Improving the Shindagha Corridor, one of the biggest construction projects currently undertaken by RTA, has been split into five phases, and two have already been completed.
Work is currently under way on the third phase, which includes six contracts. One of them has now been accomplished, covering the entry and exit points for Deira Islands at the intersection of Abu Baker Al Siddique St.
Construction works are in progress on Al Shindagha (Infinity) Bridge, featuring an iconic architectural design that promises to be a unique landmark for Dubai. There would also be a ramp in the direction of Bur Dubai and bridges linking with Al Shindagha Tunnel.
This phase, which encompasses the construction of 10 surface junctions, will be completed by the end of 2022.
Future plans
Phase 4 of the Shindagha Corridor project covers improvements on Al Khaleej St, along with the intersection with Abu Hail St and the intersection of Sheikh Rashid St with Jumeirah, Al Mina and Al Mankhool Streets. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The final phase covers the construction of bridges leading to Deira Islands extending 1.5km southwards. This phase is set for completion in 2027.
Al Shindagha Corridor spans 13km in length and covers the construction of 15 intersections. The project is surrounded by several mega-development projects such as Deira Islands, Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City and Mina Rashid.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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