Construction of the Shindagha Bridge Project has officially been kicked off by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, according to a statement from state news agency WAM.
Sheikh Mohammed drew the infinity sign of the bridge on an electronic screen, following which a large-scale design of the Shindagha Bridge Project was unveiled, signifying the start of its construction.
The launch of the project was also attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chief executive of Emirates Group, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The $107m bridge, which features a design based on the concept of the infinity sign, is being developed as part of the third phase of the $1.37bn Shindagha Corridor project. The project extends 13km along Sheikh Rashid Street as well as Al Mina, Al Khaleej and Cairo Streets.
Sheikh Mohammed was received by Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, along with several senior officials of the RTA.
Al Tayer said that the bridge will extend about 295m, 150m of which is over the Dubai Creek. The top of the infinity arch rises 42m and about 2,400 tons of steel will be used in the bridge’s construction. The bridge is to feature six lanes in each direction in addition to a pedestrian crossing. The new creek crossing will also rise 15.5m above the water level, which will allow boats of varying sizes to traverse the creek throughout the day.