Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the New Al Garhoud Bridge consisting of 14 lanes in both directions. He also launched the construction on the 6th Crossing, which is considered one of the biggest projects undertaken by Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in the field of roads, at an initial cost of around Dh3 billion.
Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum directed to name the Sixth Crossing as Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing, in commemoration of the role of the late great leader in building and developing the UAE in general and the emirate of Dubai in particular.
The implementation of this project is part of RTA strategy to keep pace with the urban growth and cater for the current & future requirements of development & demographic expansion through provision of roads network and advanced transport to bolster the transition witnessed by Dubai as a cosmopolitan city. It also comes under RTA efforts to eliminate traffic jams in the roads of the emirate.
By opening the new Al Garhoud Bridge, the number of lanes crossing Dubai Creek rises from 19 lanes, at the time of establishing the RTA, to 48 lanes. The new lanes are added following the completion of the 13-lanes Business Bay Crossing, the 6-lanes Floating Bridge, widening of Al Maktoum Bridge from 9 to 11 lanes, and opening the 14-lanes Al Garhoud Bridge.
Upon arrival at the ceremony site, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, as well as RTA CEOs and a number of local government officials.
Shaikh Maktoum and attendants watched a documentary film depicting work progress in Al Garhoud Bridge; which is one of the giant projects completed by the RTA.
It extends about 1.7 km and consists of 14 lanes; 7 lanes to serve the traffic outbound from Bur Dubai to Deira and 7 lanes to serve the traffic outbound from Deira to Bur Dubai. The Bridge rises 15 meters above the central part of Dubai Creek allowing free navigation of marine traffic without having to provide the Bridge with a movable part for opening & closing.
Construction work lasted for almost 24 months spanning from the design stage to project operation. Construction works in the new Al Garhoud Bridge also included construction of adjacent embankments and road upgrading works.
Engineers engaged in the project were confronted with three main challenges; the first was to work within a marine habitat, a matter which required temporary construction of the Bridge over pads containing giant waterproof containers. The second was to provide two marine navigational lines to allow for ships & boats passage across the Creek. The third challenge was to fix 12-metres high pillars supporting the Bridge and casting them as one lot within 48 hours through adopting an advanced method to avoid cracks resulting from high temperature levels.
More than 2000 individuals took part in the construction works of the Bridge, which required more than one million ton of waterproof containers, 143 thousand tons of cement, 17 thousand tons of steel pillars, and more than 2000 tons of steel bars for tying & bonding.
Shaikh Maktoum also saw a video on Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing; which is one of biggest projects undertaken by the RTA in the field of roads at a cost estimated as three billion dirham. The Bridge links Al Jaddaf at Bur Dubai with the road separating the Lagoons project and Dubai Festival City.
It provides entry and exit points for the Creek Island on which Opera building will be constructed. The project will be constructed over four years and contains eye-catching pillars and distinctive beautiful arches adding architectural marvel to the Crossing, as well as a 3-meters wide pedestrian walkway.
Afterwards Shaikh Maktoum unveiled the small monument of the new Al Garhoud Bridge marking the official opening of the Bridge for traffic. He also inaugurated the construction works in Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing and was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer on the Crossing which consists of 12 lanes; 6 in each direction.
The Bridge extends 1600 metres in length and 64 metres in width. The mega arch rises 205 metres and extends 667 meters; and is therefore billed as the longest arch bridge in the world.
The Bridge rises 15 metres above the sea level enabling free navigation 24 hours a day. The Green Line of Dubai Metro passes across the median of the Bridge. He pointed out that the Bridge serves Dubai Healthcare City, Sama Al Jaddaf, and Culture Village at Bur Dubai, and serves Dubai Festival City, Lagoons Project, The Global City, and The Design Center at Deira.
It is an arch-suspended bridge providing a stunning shape visible from multiple angles. It could be viewed like an acoustic wave forming a tone compatible with the Opera. It could also be viewed like a dune or a new moon in Dubai night, with a setting harmonious with the Arabian Desert environment. Additionally it contains a Dubai Metro and abra station.
The project encompasses construction of roads network extending 12 km including 22 intersections (multi-tier intersections, surface intersections, and light signal-controlled intersections).
Due to the immense nature of the project, it has been divided into six phases to ensure implementation as early as possible. The First Stage encompasses construction works of the Six Crossing at Dubai Creek.
The Second Phase includes construction of intersections at Deira side to serve The Lagoon and Dubai Festival City.
The Third Phase includes implementation of intersections at Deira side extending from Nad Al Hammer up to Al Aweer Rd. Phase Four includes implementation of intersections at Bur Dubai linking the Sixth Crossing with Ras Al Khor (Business Bay Crossing).
Phase Five encompasses construction of intersections at Bur Dubai linking the Sixth Crossing with Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Garhoud Bridge. The Sixth Phase includes construction of intersections at Bur Dubai linking Ras Al Khor with Oud Maitha Rd and parallel roads.
Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, boarded a vehicle to tour the New Al Garhoud Bridge and roads network implemented by the RTA to keep pace with the ongoing growth witnessed by the emirate.
