Page 78 - September 2020

Local News Local News

Dubai is building 34 more footbridges in the

next five years to ensure Safety of pedestrians

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) with various public transit means.
is planning to build 34 new pedestrian bridges Until the beginning of this year, RTA has
across the emirate from 2021 to 2026. With its constructed cycling tracks extending 425 km and
completion, the total number of pedestrian bridges intends to extend them further to as much as 647
in the emirate will increase to 150, said its top km by 2025.
official. The two senior officials also inspected the
The construction of pedestrian bridges in Dubai pedestrian bridge on King Salman bin Abdul Aziz
is part of Dubai’s traffic safety strategy targeting Al Saud Street at the Marina.
a zero-fatality rate to rank Dubai amongst the It features a design inspired by the urban outlook
world’s safest cities in traffic safety, stated Mattar of the locality and is considered the first 4-way
Mohammed Al Tayer, the Director-General and bridge built at the intersection of the King Salman
Chairman of RTA. bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street with Al Gharbi Street
RTA considers certain perimeters when nearby the JBR. The bridge stretches 65 meters
determining the locations of pedestrian bridges in and handles about 8000 persons per hour in all
Dubai such as the intensity of traffic, pedestrian directions.
accidents and fatalities, speed limit, number of Lieutenant General Al Marri lauded RTA’s efforts
lanes, the movement of people between the two to upgrade the infrastructure to help promote the
sides of the road, and the nearest pedestrian culture of using cycling tracks and make Dubai
crossing and bus stops,” explained Al Tayer. a bicycle-friendly city providing suitable mobility
“The traffic studies also assign due consideration options that encourage people to practice cycling
to areas where entities and retailers are abundant sport.
as well as run-over accidents hotspots,” he added. “RTA’s efforts to expand the construction of
The duo later visited the cycling tracks which pedestrian crossings in support of Dubai’s
have been constructed by RTA at the highest Traffic Strategy 2021 to reduce road fatalities is
international standards to link vibrant communities commendable, he added.

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