Dubai Roads & Transport Authority has announced that it is planning to build the world's longest arch bridge at a cost of AED 3 billion. The contract for the project was awarded to American firm FXFOWLE. It won the tender following an open invitation. Construction begins in March and the project will be completed in six different phases over four years. It includes the construction of a 12 kilometer road networks and 22 intersections leading on and off of the span. Once complete the bridge will overtake the Lupu Bridge in Shanghai as the longest in the world.

It added that it would take 4 years to construct the mega bridge, which will measure 1,600 meters with an arch 205 meters high and 667 meters long. At 64 meters wide, the bridge will accommodate 12 lanes of traffic and a metro line running down its center. The bridge will also include a metro station, an abra station and the man made island on which an Opera theater will be constructed.

The bridge connects Al Jaddaf in Bur Dubai and Deira areas of the city and will be the 6th creek crossing. Currently the 5 Dubai Creek crossings are Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge, the Floating Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge and Business Bay Crossing.

Mr Mattar Al Tayer executive director of the RTA said that the 6th crossing was one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by the RTA. He added that "The project aims at easing traffic flow between the two banks of Dubai Creek and serve the new property developments."

The RTA is currently investing around USD 22 billion in Dubai's transport infrastructure as it looks to reduce congestion. The investment plan allocates USD 12 billion for new roads, USD 2.5 billion each for marine transport and tram systems, USD 6.3 billion for the Dubai Metro and USD 600 million for new buses.

Labels: Construction, Dubai, Dubai Metro