Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has given the go-ahead for the Floating Bridge project on Dubai Creek just south of Al Maktoum Bridge.

The bridge will stretch across the surface intersection near Deira City Centre and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, and will end at the intersection to be built on Riyadh Street between Dubai Courts and Creek Park.
 “The Floating Bridge complements efforts aimed at easing the traffic congestion in Dubai,” explains Rapid Transit Authority (RTA) board chairman and executive director Mattar Al Tayer. “We are constantly conducting studies on possible ways to modernise the transport system in and around Dubai, in addition to keeping abreast of international best practices.”
Al Tayer notes that the project is part of an integrated project being implemented to reduce the traffic congestion by 37 per cent on Al Maktoum Bridge, on which more than 150,000 vehicles pass each day.
The number of lanes that cross Dubai Creek will increase from 19 to 38 lanes by 2007 and to 45 lanes by 2008. RTA has completed a study conducted on 10 highly congested areas and will work on measures to ease the congestion in these areas. The project reflects the strategic plan adopted by RTA to modernise the transport system.
Dubai Traffic and Roads Corporation chief executive officer at RTA Maitha Bin Adi says the Floating Bridge will provide an additional link between Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road and Oud Metha Road from one side and Al Ittihad Road and Deira from the other. The holding capacity of the bridge is 3,000 vehicles in each direction during morning and evening peak hours.
“The Floating Bridge, a first-of-its-kind project in Dubai, will be built out of 20 m wide hollow concrete blocks that will float on water,” she explains. “These kinds of bridges are widely used by the military as they can be built quickly. The Floating Bridge is a temporary solution until the Authority successfully completes the design and construction of a permanent bridge at the same place.”
“The Authority places great importance on the adoption of the highest standards of quality in the implementation of all projects from start to finish, and on completing these as per schedule. The project will be tendered in July this year, construction work will begin in September and the project will be completed by March 2007,” she adds.
The rolling segment of the bridge allows the bridge to open and close at intervals of 20 minutes. These opening and closing times will be set in coordination with the authorities regulating the movement of ships and ferries crossing Dubai Creek. Ferries will have a side-way passage that will not require the opening and closing of the bridge.
The RTA is currently adopting measures to improve traffic conditions at intersections near Riyadh Street. These measures include diverting traffic along the roundabouts in the direction of Creek Park to intersections with traffic lights.