A temporary floating bridge over Dubai Creek has been planned in a bid to reduce congestion in the city, the Roads and Traffic Authority has said in a statement.
It will be a temporary solution until the authority constructs a permanent bridge in the same place, it said.
The floating bridge will lie half a kilometre away from Maktoum Bridge in the direction of Garhoud Bridge.The project will be launched tomorrow.
It is believed that the bridge will connect Al Ittihad Road with the Oud Metha area, where there are at least two schools as well as two big hospitals and a mall.
At present, there are the Garhoud and Maktoum bridges as well as the Shindagha Tunnel, which due to the large volume of cars going across the Creek, are some of the most congested spots in the city.
The authorities are currently building a six-lane bridge to replace the old Garhoud Bridge, while another crossing, the Ras Al Khor Bridge, is set to open in January next year.
Emirates Today has learned that apart from the structure that will replace the floating one, there are plans to build another bridge This will connect the areas around the BurJuman Shopping Centre and Union Square, where there will be major stations for the Metro project.
The floating bridge is expected to alleviate the pressure on the network until the new facilities are up and running.
"It will relieve traffic congestion on the two bridges," said a transportation consultant who wished to remain anonymous. "Studies show that they cannot handle the amount of traffic."
Floating bridges are made of wood or steel and are commonly used as alternatives when conventional bridges are being repaired, according to the consultant.
By Vesela Todorova
© Emirates Today 2006
