Al Ain: A pedestrian bridge is to be built near one of the city’s busiest interchanges, a municipality official announced on Monday.
It will be the first pedestrian bridge in the city that has been witnessing rapid development. The bridge will be some 36 metres long, two and half metres wide and some six metres high over Khalid Bin Sultan Road, the official said.
“It will be a hi-tech bridge that will be built elsewhere and installed at the site in just one night,” said the official.
During the installation, he said, traffic on the road will be stopped for just 20 minutes.
The bridge will have an up-to-date design to match the city’s image. It has been designed with public safety in mind. It also has disabled access and there will be special elevators at both ends, he said.
The project area has been selected due to its high traffic volume and increasing pedestrian movement, said the official. The northern side of the bridge will be towards Oasis Hospital and the adjacent residential area. The other side houses a number of service facilities, cafes, municipality depots, industrial areas and a church.
Some 56,300 vehicles use the road every day. This number is expected to rise to 80,000 by 2020.
Dr Mattar Mohammad Saif Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Al Ain Municipality, on Monday signed an agreement with Nael & Bin Harmal Hydroexport Company for the construction of the bridge. He said the project was part of the municipality’s efforts to create a pedestrian-friendly environment.
The municipality said the project will be complete in five months.
