Dubai’s RTA awards contract to build Deira Islands bridges. Credit: Sergei Gussev

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded AED447m ($121.7m) worth of contracts for the construction of three bridges linking Deira Islands as part of a collaboration with real estate developer Nakheel.

The new structures will connect with the existing bridge that crosses the water canal and comprise six lanes in each direction.

According to the plan, the bridges will be built at the main entrances and exits of the 17km² beachfront developments, including two entrances at the crossing on Al Khaleej Street with Abu Baker Al-Siddique and Abu Hail Streets. The third entrance will span from Al Mina Street to Port Rashid.

In order to provide direct and free access to Deira Islands, a number of flyovers and ramps will also be built.

RTA director-general and the executive directors board chairman Mattar Al Tayer said: “The bridges span 1.6km in total. An additional 140m bridge will be constructed together with a slip road on Deira Islands side. The existing bridge will also undergo improvements including re-pavement, rails, traffic signs, utility lines and street lighting.

“Al Khaleej Street flyover allows the construction of two bridges in the direction of Abu Baker Al Siddique Street in the future.”

“The project includes a two-lane bridge offering free-flowing traffic from Deira Islands to Al Khaleej Street northward, a three-lane bridge providing free traffic from Deira Islands to Al Khaleej Street southward, and a two-lane bridge offering free traffic from Al Khaleej Street southward to Deira Islands.

“Al Khaleej Street flyover allows the construction of two bridges in the direction of Abu Baker Al Siddique Street in the future.”

Al Tayer further stated that the project will improve the capacity of Al Khaleej Street over the 1.8km stretch from Abu Hail intersection northward to Al-Baraha Hospital southbound.

Two signalised intersections will be constructed at the junction between Abu Hail, Al Khaleej Street and Abu Baker Al Siddique Street. This work will form part of future improvements to Shindagha Roads Network.

Dubai’s new waterfront Nakheel’s Deira Island project features four man-made islands reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf along the coast of Deira. The waterfront covers an area of more than 17 million square meters.