Dubai: The Dubai Mall, the flagship development of Emaar Malls Group and the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, has launched a project to build a 820-metre long pedestrian link that directly connects the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro Station with the iconic attractions in Downtown Dubai, including the mall and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
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. It is also billed to reduce vehicular traffic within the immediate vicinity of the mall, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
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."
At its peak capacity, the travellators 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."
The Dubai Mall Metro Link, to be constructed by Dutco, will have five travellators in each direction - ten in all - each of length 70 to 120 metres and 1.4 metres wide. There will be a central walkway that will give additional space for pedestrian use.
The travellators 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.
