Dubai: A new crossing will be built on Dubai Creek between Al Garhoud and Al Maktoum Bridges replacing the existing Floating Bridge to further ease traffic congestion, said a senior official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the design of the Seventh Crossing named 'Dubai Smile' on Dubai Creek.
The project, which boasts of an iconic structure, will cost Dh810 million and will be completed by 2012. It will be located between the Dubai Creek Park and the Dubai Courts from Bur Dubai side, and the Deira City Centre and Dubai Golf Club from Deira side.
"The Seventh Crossing ranks among the unique and landmark projects undertaken by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which aims to ease traffic flow across Dubai Creek. RTA is keen to turn the seventh crossing into an iconic distinctive structure of Dubai worldwide," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.
He said specialised global companies were invited to compete in submitting distinctive architectural designs and the best one was selected based on specific technical criteria.
Among the designs submitted, the concept of an inverted metal arch has been selected to replicate the high rocketing urban development of Dubai.
The engineering shape of the inverted arch of the crossing that will link the two banks of Dubai Creek reflects a welcoming gesture by Dubai City to residents and visitors.
He said the crossing will provide free movement of traffic in all directions and full navigational traffic 24 hours a day as it rises 15 metres above the water level of the Creek, while the width of the waterway is 400 metres, enabling large yachts to pass through.
From Bur Dubai direction, the 7th Bridge will be linked with the underpasses of Rashid Hospital Project, undertaken by the RTA at a cost of Dh705 million.
It comprises construction of roads and two underpasses to accommodate traffic inbound from Tariq Bin Ziyad Road and Umm Hurair Road to the junction of Al Riyadh Road and the extension of the 7th Crossing (currently the Floating Bridge) consisting of 2 lanes in each direction.
The first underpass passes from Tariq bin Ziyad Road under Al Maktoum and the second one, which serves traffic inbound from Umm Hurair Road, passes through Oud Metha Park.
The underpasses converge forming a 4-lane underpass towards Al Riyadh Road via Rashid Hospital. The junction of Al Riyadh Road with the extension of the Floating Bridge will be transformed to a four-direction interchange.
The project also includes widening of Tariq Bin Ziyad Road and improvements of Oud Metha and Umm Hurair Roads, as well as construction of a road to cater for the traffic inbound from the Floating Bridge towards Tariq Bin Ziyad Road.
From Deira direction, the 7th Crossing will be linked with Al Ittihad Road, which is currently being widened by the RTA at a cost of Dh800 million.
A new bridge will also be constructed to serve the traffic inbound from Sharjah, Al Nahda and Al Mamzar towards Dubai International Airport in addition to another 2-lane bridge to serve traffic inbound from Port Saeed and Al Garhoud areas towards the Clock Roundabout.
Dubai Police headquarters Interchange (Galadari) will have two new underpasses in addition to the existing ones.
A new 2-lane bridge will also be constructed to accommodate traffic inbound from Abu Hail Road and Salah Uddin Road towards Sharjah.
RTA will construct a new 3-lanes underpass at Al Nahda Interchange (Al Mulla Plaza) to serve traffic from Dubai to Sharjah.
A new 2-lane underpass will also be constructed to accommodate traffic from Mamzar and Nahda areas towards Dubai, in addition to a new 3-lane bridge to cater to traffic from Al Nahda Road towards Al Waheeda Road and Deira.
Key links: Creek crossings
Current crossings on Dubai Creek include:
- New Al Garhoud Bridge - 13 lanes
- Al Maktoum Bridge - 9 lanes
- Al Shindagha Tunnel - 4 lanes
- Business Bay Crossing - 13 lanes
- Floating Bridge - 6 lanes
In the future
- The Seventh Crossing - 12 lanes
- Al Shindagha Bridge - 12 lanes
- The Fifth Bridge - 12 lanes