Dubai: Construction of the fifth bridge over Dubai Creek started on Saturday.
The new bridge has been named Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing after the late ruler of Dubai following the directions of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, who laid the stone for the construction of the bridge.
Shaikh Maktoum opened on Saturday the New Al Garhoud Bridge over the Dubai Creek. The 14-lane bridge will permit smooth traffic flow between Bur Dubai and Deira.
"The implementation of the project is part of the strategic plan of the Roads and Transport Authority [RTA] to keep pace with the urban growth in the emirate," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.
Fourth crossing
Construction of the Dh3-billion Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing is expected to be completed in 2012.
"The project, the biggest single road project launch-ed by the Roads and Transport Authority, also includes new road development with 12km of new roads and 22 intersections in the surrounding areas," said Al Tayer.
He said the bridge will be a new landmark in Dubai.
The Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing will link Al Jaddaf and Business Bay at Bur Dubai with the road separating The Lagoons and Dubai Festival City.
It will also provide entry and exit points for the Creek Island on which the opera building will be constructed by Sama Dubai.
The bridge will be 1.6km long, 64 metres wide and 15 metres above the water. It will have 12 lanes and a track for the Green Line of the Metro. It will be able to handle about 20,000 vehicles per hour.
With the New Al Garhoud Bridge the number of lanes crossing the Creek has risen to 48.
The new bridge extends about 1.7km and consists of 14 lanes - seven lanes in each direction.
The bridge rises 15 metres above the water, allowing free navigation of marine traffic.
The new bridge was completed in a record 24 months.
More than 2,000 workers were involved in its construction.
Traffic: Across the water
- New Al Garhoud Bridge - 14 lanes
- Al Maktoum Bridge - 9 lanes
- Al Shindagha Tunnel - 4 lanes
- Business Bay Crossing - 13 lanes
- Floating Bridge - 6 lanes
What next?
- Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Crossing - 12 lanes
- Al Shindagha Bridge - 12 lanes
- The Fifth Bridge - 12 lanes
