Pioneering community initiative an integral part of the Sahara City project

Sharjah, June 04, 2008: Sahara Centre, the leading family shopping and entertainment destination in the UAE, and one of Sharjah's prominent landmarks, is to construct a covered pedestrian bridge across the busy Al Nahda road.  The bridge would provide safe crossing for pedestrians and allow easy access into Sahara Centre. The bridge is expected to be ready for use by September 2008.

The bridge, to cost AED 7 million,   has a clear height of 6.5 meters and is to span 48 meters across the Al Nahda road. Made of a structural steel frame with steel deck flooring, and a metal panel wall with roof cladding, the bridge will be accessible from the sidewalk by either panoramic lift or staircase.

Commenting on the initiative, Jean Pierre Nammour, Managing Director of Sahara Centre, said: "The Al Nahda area in Sharjah where the mall resides is developing at a very fast pace and we foresee a steep rise in visitor traffic. Considering the location of the mall, this pedestrian bridge will provide an ideal walkway solution for visitors living on the opposite side of the mall and will provide them with a safe and easy access to the mall. We at Sahara Centre have always been extremely vigilant as to the safety and security of our shoppers and the bridge is just another aspect of Sahara Centre's social awareness

The construction of the  pedestrian bridge forms part of the 'Sahara City' project; an AED 4 billion expansion plan that will more than double the size of the emirate's landmark shopping mall and will provide a major boost to the emirate's plans to increase tourism and attract further investment.

The bridge has been designed by architectural and engineering consulting company Khatib & Alami and built by Al Nimr Contracting.

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About Sahara Centre:
Sahara Centre opened in February 2002, becoming Sharjah's leading mall. In addition to its wealth of first-class retail outlets, Sahara features the 70,000 square foot Adventureland, a dynamic children's play zone housing 20 thrilling rides, including the UAE's first indoor roller coaster, a multi-level train and water flume ride; Grand Sahara Cinemas, equipped with state-of-the-art screens for the latest movies in town and a multicultural food court featuring 42 outlets and an intriguing array of international cuisines.

The Sahara Centre is open from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 10 am until 11 pm on weekends.

For further information, please contact
Padma Shivdasan,
BPG Public Relations,
Dubai
Tel: +9714-295 3456;
Fax: +9714-295 1027
E-mail: padma@batespangulf.com

© Press Release 2008