- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:32 05:49 12:21 15:48 18:47 20:04
The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, is set to meet its match in the shape of an almost equally long glass walkway that will directly connect the iconic tower and the adjoining Dubai Mall with the Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall Metro Station.
In a statement Tuesday, Emaar, the master developer of Downtown Dubai which includes Burj Khalifa, Dubai mall and a host of other iconic attractions, said its Emaar Malls Group had launched a project to build an 820-metre long (just 8 metres short of the Burj Khalifa itself) glass-encased pedestrian link.
The Dubai Mall Metro Link, to be constructed by Dutco, will have five travelators, or moving walkways, in each direction – ten in all – with the air-conditioned and automated walkways capable of ferrying more than 13,500 individuals every hour. There will be a central walkway that will give additional space for pedestrian use.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “The Dubai Mall is one of the most visited tourist, retail, and leisure destinations in the world. While the mall offers covered parking for over 14,000 vehicles, we have been evaluating various alternatives to further streamline visitor traffic and add to their convenience. The Dubai Mall Metro Link will also serve visitors to Burj Khalifa and the various attractions in Downtown Dubai.”
The travelators will move at an average speed of 0.5 metres/second, starting at the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro station entrance pod and travelling through the Downtown Dubai development before connecting directly with The Dubai Mall.
Scheduled to be operational in 2013, ‘The Dubai Mall Metro Link’ is one of the longest pedestrian walkways that links the Dubai Metro with any retail development, and is expected to significantly enhance the convenience of visitors to the mall and Burj Khalifa, Emaar said. It is also billed to reduce vehicular traffic within the immediate vicinity of the mall, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the flagship mega development by Emaar Properties, described as ‘The Centre of Now.’
“The Dubai Mall Metro Link will contribute to the sustainable transport initiatives developed by the Dubai Government. At its peak capacity, the travelators can carry over 13,500 people per hour, and is being developed to the highest international standards. It has been designed to accommodate maximum visitor traffic, both to The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and to Downtown Dubai, especially during the festive season,” Alabbar added.
With The Dubai Mall Metro Link, visitors will have an air-conditioned passage from the Metro to the mall. Allowances are also being made for future connections to Emaar Square and Boulevard Plaza offices and linkages with the Emaar Boulevard, which hosts several lifestyle events including the popular Emirates Classic Car Festival. Pedestrians also have the option of using The Dubai Mall Metro Link, even if they are not Metro passengers.
The Dubai Mall Metro Link is elegantly designed in glass with views of the Downtown Dubai development including Burj Khalifa. It will also open a new marketing avenue for multimedia advertising displays along the walls of the pedestrian link. Designed with the highest safety features, The Dubai Mall Metro Link will incorporate add-on features such as exit routes along its length and access stairs.
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