by Kasun Illankoon
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced it will start the construction of three new footbridges in different parts of Dubai.
According to the RTA, currently the junction is used by about 2300 persons and 2000 vehicles during peak hours. More than 1000 people cross the junction to head to the JBR during the weekends. Moreover, the Dubai Tram crosses the intersection every six minutes. The area accommodates two Tram stations and one bus stop, and there are no pedestrian crossings nearby.
Due to all these considerations the RTA deemed it fit to start constructing these three new footbridges.
“The project covers designing and constructing three pedestrian bridges to ensure safe pedestrian crossing. The bridges spread in three Dubai hotspots namely King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street at the Marina, Khaled bin Al Waleed Street near Rif’aa Street intersection, and the Arabian Ranches Street near Al Asayel junction,” said HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority
The pedestrian bridge on King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street features an iconic design, the first of its kind in the region. It links four sides of a vital junction of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street with the western street near the JBR and the entrance of the Marina. The area has a great appeal to visitors and sea-goers and provides a unique residential experience for residents and visitors of Dubai.
The design of the bridge front is inspired by the urban nature of the area with a shape and color that fit well with the surrounding buildings. The curved shape of the bridge emulates the coastal location as well as the great harmony with the neighborhood. The bridge enables pedestrians to move freely between the four sides of the junction without stopping at the traffic signals. It extends 65m, can accommodate 4000 people per hour, and is expected to be completed in December 2019.
“Pedestrians’ safety is a top priority in Roads and Transport Authority. Since inception. It has been keen on providing safe pedestrian crossing means. It has set several parameters for selecting the locations of these bridges such as the number of run-over accidents (black points), the intensity of traffic movement, the movement of people between the two sides of the street, and the distance to the nearest pedestrian crossing. Factors dictating the construction of pedestrian bridges also include the locations of public transport stops, markets and shopping centres, public & private entities in addition to observations received from the Dubai Police and the public,” elaborated Al Tayer.
He called on citizens, residents and visitors to use pedestrian bridges and subways when crossing streets. He also called on motorists to observe the speed limits and slow-down at pedestrian crossings for their safety and the safety of road users.