Dubai's Al Ittihad Bridge to be ready by early 2018

Al Ittihad Bridge will replace the Floating Bridge, built on Dubai Creek, by early 2018, according to Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

In an expression of interest and pre-qualification invitation, published in a local newspaper, RTA said the tender for the new bridge will be issued in October 2014 with the construction period extending over three years. The opening is expected by early 2018.

The 420-metre-long Al Ittihad Bridge, which will have a steel arch (100 metres high), will extend beyond Al Riyadh Road on the Bur Dubai side and up to the Dubai-Sharjah Road on the Deira side, with the total length being nearly 2,700 metres with the width between 22 and 52 metres, according to RTA.

The main Creek Crossing will have 12 lanes (six in each direction, in addition to a footpath in each direction), providing free traffic movement in both directions (Bur Dubai and Deira).

According to the RTA pre-qualification invitation, the work will include underpasses, ramps, interchanges, cut-and-cover tunnels, road works, utility relocations, bridge lightning, landscaping and land reclaiming.

The Floating Bridge was opened in July 2007 to ease traffic on Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridge.

In February, RTA said it had approved a Dh7.036 billion budget for 2014, with Dh3.88 billion provided for existing and new road projects, including the Al Ittihad Bridge.

A number of construction projects will be completed in 2014, which will enable RTA to undertake new projects. One of the major projects to be completed this year will be the Dubai Tram that has a track extending 11 kilometres along Al Sufouh Street will be operational by November.

Besides, RTA will complete the construction of internal road projects in residential areas as per its five-year plan (2012–2016).

A budget of Dh234 million is allocated for constructing internal roads in a number of residential communities in Dubai.

The authority will also spend budget of Dh398 million to work on the parallel roads project supporting Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

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