Dubai, March 15, 2008 (WAM)--Deputy Dubai Ruler HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated Al Garhoud Bridge at Dubai Creek, after completion of construction of its 14 lanes in both directions.
At arrival to the ceremony scene, Sheikh Maktoum pressed the start button of the construction works of the new crossing ordered by Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The new huge AED3 billion crossing will bear the name of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Accompanied by the heads and directors of the department and other high ranking officials, Sheikh Maktoum took a bus on the bridge and declared the bridge was officially open to the traffic. Engineer Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, board chairman and executive director of the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) said the "new Al Garhoud crossing- 1.7 km long, will effectively enhance the traffic from Deira and vice versa without being opened or closed for the marine traffic due to its 15 metres height above the sea". He added after the inauguration of the Bridge that over 2000 engineers, technicians and workers took part in accomplishment of the project, whose work took two years and required one million of absorbers to prevent water leakage to its parts, It also required 143, 000 tonnes of cement and 17 tonnes of steel supporters and 2000 steel wires. Sheikh Maktoum was briefed on the components and details of the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum 's new crossing project. He watched the electronic display of the design. Al Tayer said that the new crossin will be1.6 km long with width of 64 metre , comprised 12 lanes. It will link Al Jadaf district in Bur Dubai and the road separating Lagoon project and Dubai Festival City, adding that the new project will provide entrances and exits to the Creek Island, which will host the opera building. "The new crossing,15 metres above the Creek, is set to be the longest arch bridge in the world- 667 metres high with arch 205 metres high. It will be navigable for marine traffic around the clock", he added.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.
