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29 March 2024

10 new pedestrian bridges in Dubai: Is your area is getting one?

Pedestrian bridges have been a major factor in reducing accidents. (Supplied)

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By Staff

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) board, chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Executive Director, has endorsed the construction of 10 pedestrian bridges in 2015-2016 in various vital areas in Dubai at a cost of about Dh40 million.

“Constructing footbridges stems from the commitment of the RTA to provide safe means for pedestrians to cross roads.

“The new bridges will be constructed in a number of vital locations that have been identified in traffic studies focused on the intensity of peoples movement between the two sides of the road, areas with abundant shops and establishments, and locations recording high run-over accidents (black points),” said Al Tayer.

Two pedestrian bridges will be constructed at Bani Yas Street; the first will be near the premises of the Department of Land, and the second will be near the premises of the Dubai Municipality.

One bridge will be constructed at each of the following streets; Khalid bin Al Waleed Street (nearby Rifaa - Saadiyat Intersection), Al Nahda Street (nearby Al Tawar Center), Al Ittihad Street (nearby Dnata), Al Maraabi Street (Road 323), Al Mankhool Street, Latifa bint Hamdan Street (nearby Al Khail Mall), Al Ribat Street (nearby Bel Remaitha Club), and the Dubai – Al Ain Road (nearby Skycourts Buildings).

Al Tayer further said: “The RTA is committed to specific standards in designing and constructing pedestrian bridges in Dubai through conducting traffic studies that address population density, driving speed, services provided on both sides of the road and the number of traffic accidents in the area.

“Depending on solutions concluded to in those studies, deliverables are reflected in the form of technical and traffic projects such as pedestrian bridges, signalized pedestrian crossings, humps, and speed calming devices among others.”

He added that the efforts made by the RTA, in collaboration with the General HQ of the Dubai Police, contributed positively to pedestrian’s traffic safety on roads, where the number of fatalities reported in pedestrian accidents dropped from 9.5 fatalities per 100 thousand of population in 2007 to 2.3 fatalities per 100 thousand of population in 2010, and plunged further to 1.2 fatalities per 100 thousand of population in 2013.

“The number of pedestrian bridges in Dubai leapfrogged from 14 bridges in 2006 to 74 bridges in 2011, and will jump further to as much as 100 by the end of this year.

“Four covered and air-conditioned pedestrian bridges will be constructed at Al Safouh Street; two to serve tram users and residents on both sides of the street, and the other two to link Tecom with the opposite side of the street as well as the Dubai Marina Mall; thus offering the public a safe mobility means to cross the street in that vital area.

“Work is up and running in the construction of 7 other bridges to be completed in 2015; which will bring the overall number of pedestrian bridges by 2016 to as much as 120 bridges,” elaborated Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director called on citizens, residents and visitors to use the bridges and subways designated for crossing roads, and urged motorists to abide by the specific speed limits and slow down at pedestrian crossing points for their own safety and the safety of road users.