Residents praise new pedestrian bridge

Sharjah: Residents and motorists in Al Nahda will no longer be bothered by jaywalkers as a pedestrian bridge has now been built.

The bridge was installed early Friday morning and will provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and easy access to the Sahara Centre.

Residents had long demanded that a pedestrian bridge be built and it is expected to be operational next week.

The steel frame bridge has been built at an estimated cost of Dh7 million and has been installed at a height of 6.5 metres and spans 48 metres. It is accessible by elevators and staircases.

Residents living opposite the Sahara Centre told Gulf News they had become used to the sound of screeching brakes every day as people used to dash across the road.

Hala Khater, a Palestinian who lives in a building on the main road, facing the Sahara Centre said her heart skipped a beat whenever she came across a pedestrian dashing across the street.

"There have been so many accidents in this area. I am just so glad the authorities concerned have decided to construct a pedestrian bridge. A similar one should also be constructed in front of the Safeer or the Ansar Mall."

Farroq Rizwi, who resides in the adjacent building, said each time his family heard the sound of screeching brakes they rushed to their balcony to see if anyone was injured.

Jean Pierre Nammour, Managing Director of the Sahara Centre, said: "The rate of accidents on the Al Nahda Road went up at an alarming rate last year. Considering the safety of the pedestrians crossing the road while enabling easy access to our customers, we pursued this project."

Rima Chammas, Marketing Manager, Sahara Centre, added: "We are extremely happy the new bridge will soon provide an ideal walkway solution to pedestrians."

The installation of the bridge was part of the Sahara Centre's community initiative and an integral part of its Dh4 billion Sahara City project.

The project will more than double the size of the landmark shopping destination centre and will provide a major impetus to Sharjah's tourism and investment plans.

Do you know of any other areas that need a pedestrian bridge? Should the fine for jaywalking be increased? What else can be done to ensure the safety of pedestrians?

Glad to hear about the new pedestrian bridge near Sahara center. A similar one should be constructed near Ansar mall, as this will help lot of people to cross to al Tawun and vice versa.
Sunith Zia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 13:54

I Am In Al Nahda Near Sahara Centre. When My Dad and I Cross the street I used to get so scared but now with the new bridge I would feel safe.
Jay-r Aguja
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 13:25

Yes, more pedestrian bridges are needed. One near Ansar Mall and one at Safeer Mall.
Imran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 12:56

In King Faisal Road, the traffic is interrupted by two traffic signals which only serve as pedestrian crossings. This causes heavy traffic jams in the evening. I think these two traffic lights need to be removed and two foot bridges installed instead. It should ease the traffic
Rangana
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 12:26

In Abu Dhabi, on Airport, to cross the road to catch the taxi or bus on the opposite side, many school children are in danger when they cross the road.
Sachin Savarkar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 11:57

I live in Al Qusais and get to see many people trying to cross over from the bus stops to and from the end of the Damascus Street.The only other means for us to cross the road would be to walk all the way down to the next intersection and then cross the road safely.Especially in recent times so many real estate developments and shopping centers have popped up all along the main Damascus Street.It is high time that a few pedestrian bridges are built across the road to ensure safety of people.This will definitely prompt a lot of people like me to opt for walking rather than use cars to get to places in the same area.
Lakshmi Vinay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 11:17

I am a regular user of the Al Nahda road and I am really happy to see that Sahara Centre has taken the initiative to install the pedestrian bridge. However, it is ironic to note that it had to be a private concern that had to take this initiative rather than the authorities. I think there should be at least one more bridge installed on the same road. The other places that we can have such bridges for pedestrians is near Ansar Mall and near Sharjah Cooperative Society.
Saps
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 10:47

I think we need to install the same brigde in Ettihad road in front of Ansar Mall. Many people died on that area while they were crossing the road.
Ricardo Abad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 10:32

It was great to read this. It would be good if a similar bridge is built near Ansar mall.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 10:20

A similar bridge should be constructed to connect Ansar Mall to the Al Tawun side of the road. This will not only help people to reach Ansar Mall from across the road and vice versa but also help others trying to catch a bus to dubai from Al Nahda side.
Joydeep
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 10:06

As mentioned in the above article, it will be very helpful to the pedestrians if a similar bridge will also be constructed infront of Ansar Mall.
Jhong Cabrera
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 09:32

Good one. Glad to see this. A similar one should also be constructed in front of the Safeer or the Ansar Mall
Shumaiz
SHARJAH,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 09:03

It is good to hear about the bridge on the Sahara Center side, but the authorities should also consider making a pedestrian bride on the Ittihad road opposite Ansar Mall, since many people die crossing that area.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 08:59

A pedestrian bridge is highly required in front of the Ansar Mall. This area is always prone to accidents. This request is a long pending one and hope the concerned people notice the requirement and remedy the same.
Muthukumar
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 08:41

Today morning while crossing the road in Gharoud I was thinking that we should have a pedestrian bridge. It is exactly on the Gharoud road going towards the Dubai cargo village. There are a lot of commuters who cross the busy road during the day, and I am one of them. RTA should think it over and try to plan a pedestrian bridge in this area.
Sandesh Dhekne
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 08:20

Thanks a lot for this bridge. It will make our lives a lot easier and crossing a lot safer.
Latha Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 08:18

I would like to request the concerned authorities of Sharjah for a pedestrian crossing at Al Tawuun Street and at the Sharjah-Dubai Road ( Ittihad Road ). We have been hearing the screeching sounds very frequently and an accident occurs every other day.
Nayaz Imamuddin
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 07:44

A Similar pedestrian bridge needs to be built connecting Safeer mall and the opposite side. This will allow people from Al Tawun side to cross over to Safeer mall and adjacent areas which are now inaccessible. People are still seen risking lives crossing busy highways.
Subhasis Maji
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 07:43

A pedastrian bridge is a necessisity in the Dubai-Sharjah highway. It would reduce the number of accidents.
Manoj
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 07:29

There are still so many areas in need of a bridge.We live in Al Nahda area on NMC hospital road and the situation is just the same.It's scary to see how everyone has to risk their life to cross roads.
kavita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 19, 2009, 07:10