Monday, Jan 19, 2009
Gulf News
Sharjah: Residents and motorists in Al Nahda will no longer be bothered by jaywalkers as a pedestrian bridge has now been built.
The bridge was installed early Friday morning and will provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and easy access to the Sahara Centre.
Residents had long demanded that a pedestrian bridge be built and it is expected to be operational next week.
The steel frame bridge has been built at an estimated cost of Dh7 million and has been installed at a height of 6.5 metres and spans 48 metres. It is accessible by elevators and staircases.
Residents living opposite the Sahara Centre told Gulf News they had become used to the sound of screeching brakes every day as people used to dash across the road.
Hala Khater, a Palestinian who lives in a building on the main road, facing the Sahara Centre said her heart skipped a beat whenever she came across a pedestrian dashing across the street.
"There have been so many accidents in this area. I am just so glad the authorities concerned have decided to construct a pedestrian bridge. A similar one should also be constructed in front of the Safeer or the Ansar Mall."
Farroq Rizwi, who resides in the adjacent building, said each time his family heard the sound of screeching brakes they rushed to their balcony to see if anyone was injured.
Jean Pierre Nammour, Managing Director of the Sahara Centre, said: "The rate of accidents on the Al Nahda Road went up at an alarming rate last year. Considering the safety of the pedestrians crossing the road while enabling easy access to our customers, we pursued this project."
Rima Chammas, Marketing Manager, Sahara Centre, added: "We are extremely happy the new bridge will soon provide an ideal walkway solution to pedestrians."
The installation of the bridge was part of the Sahara Centre's community initiative and an integral part of its Dh4 billion Sahara City project.
The project will more than double the size of the landmark shopping destination centre and will provide a major impetus to Sharjah's tourism and investment plans.
Do you know of any other areas that need a pedestrian bridge? Should the fine for jaywalking be increased? What else can be done to ensure the safety of pedestrians?
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
