DUBAI: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a major contract to construct new bridges connecting Dubai Islands to Bur Dubai, marking a key step in expanding the city’s infrastructure to support its growing population and urban development.
The AED786 million project will feature a 1,425-metre-long bridge with four lanes in each direction, capable of handling up to 16,000 vehicles per hour. This will improve connectivity and traffic flow, especially for commuters and residents moving between the new Dubai Islands and Bur Dubai.
The bridge will cross Dubai Creek, rising 18.5 metres above the water to allow vessels to pass through a 75-metre-wide channel. It will also include pedestrian and cycling tracks with elevators, making it accessible and sustainable.
This is the second major contract for Dubai Islands access points. In 2020, RTA and Dubai Holding built three bridges, totalling 1.6 kilometres, connecting the islands to Al Khaleej Street from both north and south directions.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of RTA, the new bridge is part of the broader Al Shindagha Corridor Development Project, one of Dubai’s biggest ongoing infrastructure ventures. Spanning 13 kilometres and covering 15 intersections, the corridor is expected to benefit around 1 million people and cut travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes—a massive improvement.
With further road expansions and traffic solutions underway, this bridge project is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Dubai’s smart growth, facilitating urban mobility, and unlocking new economic opportunities in key areas like Port Rashid, Deira Waterfront, and Dubai Maritime City.
