RTA to build $300mn, 12 lane bridge to replace Floating Bridge
Construction contract for the Al Ittihad Bridge to be awarded by end of the year
Dubai’s famous floating bridge is set to moved to the Sheraton Hotel on Dubai Creek.
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Dubai’s famous floating bridge will be replaced by a 12 lane bridge that will ease the traffic flow between Deira and Bur Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority has announced.
The contract for the Al Ittihad Bridge will be awarded by the end of the year, the RTA said, with the timeline for construction scheduled at three years, Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Board and executive director of the RTA.
Construction of the bridge will cost $299.48 million, he added.
The 61.6 metre wide bridge will have an inverted arch with a height of 100 metres. Its height from the creek will 15 metres, which will enable marine traffic movement non-stop, throughout the day. The bridge will also have a footpath in each direction. It will extend from Dubai Creek Park in Bur Dubai to Deira City Centre.
With a capacity to handle 24,000 vehicles per hour, Al Ittihad Bridge will ensure that the adjacent areas are free from traffic jams. Furthermore, in order to improve traffic situation between Bur Dubai and Deira, the RTA said that the Floating Bridge would be moved to near the Sheraton Hotel on Dubai Creek. It will link Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road in Bur Dubai to Omar Bin Al Khattab Road in Deira.
The final project details were announced in the wake of the RTA confirming the approval of a $1.91 billion budget for the year 2014. Out of the total budget, $1.05 billion will be allocated for existing and new road projects, while $859.2 million will cover the operational costs of the RTA.
“The aggregate anticipated revenues for this year are $1.36 billion, marking a 17% increase over last year’s budget,” said Al Tayer.
Other projects will also be funded this year such as the Dh70 million Jumeirah Corniche Project, the $13.34 million Al Qudra Road Widening, and the construction of the Union Gallery as well as the rehabilitation of the Union House at a total cost of $54.72 million.
“The approved projects budget is estimated at $985.5 million which will be allocated for constructing around 99 projects comprising 50 new projects to be undertaken in roads, marine transport and public transport sector, and 49 projects currently under way,” Al Tayer said.
