Designs for an iconic new bridge across Dubai Creek have been approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Also called the ‘Dubai Smile’ or the Seventh Crossing, the Dh810-million ($220 million) bridge will be located near Dubai Creek Park, Wonderland Park and Dubai Courts at Bur Dubai, and Deira City Center and Dubai Golf Club at Deira.
“The Seventh Crossing ranks among the unique and landmark projects undertaken by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which aims to ease traffic flow across the creek,” says RTA chairman  Matar Al Tayer.  “Global companies were invited to compete in submitting distinctive architectural designs. Among the designs submitted, the concept of an inverted metal arch was selected to replicate the high-rocketing urban development of Dubai,” he says.
The engineering shape of the inverted arch of the crossing that links the two banks of Dubai Creek reflects a welcoming gesture by Dubai City to residents and visitors, with its beauty and simplicity, he added.
The Seventh Crossing, which is meant to supersede the existing Floating Bridge consists of 12 lanes (six in each direction) and also footpaths in each direction. The width of the bridge is about 61.6 m and the arch rises 100 m. The bridge can accommodate around 24,000 vehicles per hour, which will boost the intake of surrounding roads and ease traffic across the Creek, particularly in the neighbouring area of City Center.
The bridge provides free traffic to all directions and full navigational traffic 24 hours a day as it rises 15 m above the water level of the Creek, and has a 400-m-wide waterway, enabling large yachts to pass through.
At Bur Dubai, the bridge will be linked with the underpasses of Rashid Hospital project, undertaken by the RTA at a cost of Dh705 million ($191.9 million).
From Deira side, the crossing will be linked with Al Ittihad Road, which is currently being widened by the RTA at a cost of Dh800 million ($217 million).