Mega project: New Dh786m 8-lane bridge to link Bur Dubai with Dubai Islands
Al Tayer: RTA's new project is a key phase of Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project
Dubai: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Sunday announced the construction of new eight-lane bridge to link Bur Dubai with the Dubai Islands, easing traffic flow.
RTA said that it has awarded the contract for constructing direct access points to Dubai Islands from Bur Dubai side.
The work includes the construction of the bridge spanning 1,425 metres, with four lanes in each direction, for Dh786 million.
The new bridge will span Dubai Creek, linking the Infinity Bridge with the Port Rashid Development Area.
It is expected to support the movement of 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
The bridge will rise 18.5 metres above the surface of Dubai Creek, and the navigational channel will be 75 metres wide, allowing various types of vessels to pass through the Creek.
طرق دبي ترسي عقد مشروع تنفيذ الجسور المؤدية إلى مداخل جزر دبي من جهة بر دبي، بتكلفة 786 مليون درهم، وذلك ضمن الاتفاقية مع دبي القابضة.@rta_dubai pic.twitter.com/HnaqoXxVn7
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 6, 2025
Cycling and pedestrian tracks
Additionally, the bridge will feature a dedicated pedestrian and cycling path, providing easy access for non-motorised traffic, with elevators to aid pedestrians and cyclists in crossing the bridge.
The project is an integral component of the Al Shindagha Corridor Development, one of RTA’s flagship infrastructure initiatives. This project aims to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the Deira and Bur Dubai areas while connecting several major developments, including Dubai Islands, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid.
Additionally, surface roads extending 2,000 metres will be constructed to connect the bridge with the existing roads on both sides of Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai areas, explained Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA.
Dubai Holding
Al Tayer added: "This project represents the second contract under the project to build entry and exit points for Dubai Islands. In collaboration with Dubai Holding, RTA completed a project in 2020 that involved constructing three bridges spanning a total of 1.6 kilometres. It included a two-lane bridge facilitating free-flowing traffic from Dubai Islands to Al Khaleej Street northward, a three-lane bridge enabling smooth traffic from Dubai Islands to Al Khaleej Street southward, and a two-lane bridge allowing seamless traffic from Al Khaleej Street southward to Dubai Islands."
Al Shindagha Corridor
Al Shindagha Corridor
Al Tayer further stated: "The Dubai Islands access project forms part of Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project, one of RTA’s key strategic road projects currently in progress. This massive project involves developing 15 intersections over a 13-kilometre stretch, and it has been divided into five phases due to its scale. The corridor will serve both Deira and Bur Dubai areas, along with several key development projects, including Dubai Islands, Deira Waterfront, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid. The project is expected to benefit around one million people. Furthermore, the development of the corridor will reduce travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes, yielding an estimated saving of nearly Dh45 billion over 20 years."
Partnership
Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, commented: "Our partnership with RTA exemplifies our commitment to advancing Dubai's infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across key developments in the emirate. This initiative will significantly improve access to Dubai Islands, facilitating smoother mobility for residents and visitors.”
The agreement for the implementation of traffic solutions, signed between the RTA and Dubai Holding, valued at Dh6 billion, plays a key role in enhancing the emirate's infrastructure, elevating it to the level of major development projects and integrated planned communities such as Dubai Islands, Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT), Palm Beach Towers, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Park, Arjan, Majan, Liwan (Phase 1), Nad Al Hamar, Villanova, and Serena. Additionally, the agreement covers the construction of bridges and roads to improve access to five key development areas: Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai Production City, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, and International City (Phase 3).
Entry, exit points
Under the agreement, four additional entry and exit points will be constructed for Jumeirah Village Circle, along with flyovers that will double the capacity of these access points by 100% and reduce travel time on entrances, exits, and internal roads by 70%.
The agreement also includes the construction of additional bridges for entry and exit from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Dubai Production City, which will cut travel time on these access points, exits, and internal roads by 50%. Furthermore, surface improvements will be made at the interchanges at the Business Bay entrance from Sheikh Zayed Road, including the construction of a pedestrian bridge to separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the Business Bay intersection with Al Khail Road. Surface enhancements will also be made to the internal roads in the Towers area. These improvements are expected to reduce travel time on access points, exits, and internal roads by 30%.
New lanes
Agreement
The agreement also includes the addition of acceleration and deceleration lanes along Palm Jumeirah Street at six key locations to enhance traffic flow. Two pedestrian bridges will replace surface crossings, further improving traffic flow and ensuring pedestrian safety, while reducing travel time within Palm Jumeirah by 40%. Additionally, the agreement covers the expansion of the entrance to Dubai International City (Phase 3) from Al Manama Street, which includes adding a new lane, widening internal roads, and upgrading surface intersections to signalised intersections, thereby improving traffic management and safety. These improvements will reduce travel time from 15 minutes to five minutes.