Al Ittihad Bridge
Al Ittihad Bridge is a proposed 12-lane bridge across Dubai Creek in Dubai. The Bridge will connect Bur Dubai from near the Dubai Courts and Dubai Creek Park and Deira near Deira City Centre and Dubai Golf Club. It will replace the current Floating Bridge.[2] Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai reviewed the project on 30 June 2013. The project cost is estimated to be Dh1.1 billion.[3] Contract for the construction is expected to be awarded by end of 2014[2] and construction works to be completed in 3 years.[4]
Dubai Smile / Al Ittihad Bridge | |
---|---|
Carries | Vehicles |
Crosses | Dubai Creek |
Locale | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
Maintained by | Roads and Transport Authority |
Characteristics | |
Design | Arch |
Total length | 420 metres (1,380 ft)[1] |
Width | 61.6 metres (202 ft) |
Height | 100 metres (330 ft) |
Clearance below | 15 metres (49 ft) |
History | |
Construction end | expected 2017 |
Opened | expected 2018[1] |
It will have 6 lanes and a footpath in both directions.[2] It will be 61.6 metres (202 ft) wide[2] and 15 metres (49 ft) high.[3] The arc above the bridge will be 100 metres (328 ft),[3] and the width of the waterway is 400 metres (1,312 ft).[5] The crossing can accommodate around 24,000 vehicles per hour. On the Bur Dubai side the bridge will also connect with a new underpass near Rashid Hospital, while on the Deira side it will be linked with Al Ittihad Road for motorists travelling to Sharjah.[5]
The project is scheduled for opening in early 2018.[1]
Dubai Smile
The Al Ittihad Bridge was originally announced on November 15, 2008 nicknamed Dubai Smile, and also referred to as Seventh Crossing.[6][7] The cost then estimated was Dh810 million and construction was originally expected to be complete by 2012.[8] Khaleej Times on 7 August 2012 reported that the Dubai Smile will be open for traffic in the middle of 2013.[9] However, it was announced on November 6, 2009 that the Floating Bridge will stay till 2014.[10]
References
- "Prequalification bids invited for new Dubai bridge". constructionweekonline.com. ITP Business Publishing Ltd. Jul 21, 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- Staff Reporter. "12-lane Al Ittihad Bridge to replace Floating Bridge - Khaleej Times".
- Reporter, Shafaat Shahbandari, Staff (1 July 2013). "Al Ittihad Bridge construction to begin in Dubai next year".
- Report, Staff (8 February 2014). "12-lane Al Ittihad Bridge to replace Floating Bridge; RTA approves Dh7 billion budget for 2014".
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "The Dubai Smile is no bridge too far". The National. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
- Zarooni, Mustafa Al. "Dubai Smile to replace Floating Bridge". www.khaleejtimes.com. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
- "The Dubai Smile is no bridge too far". The National. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- "Dubai Smile to replace Floating Bridge". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- Reporter, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief (6 November 2009). "Floating Bridge will stay till 2014".