DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in strategic collaboration with Dubai Holding Community Management, has officially commenced construction on two major pedestrian bridges situated on Palm Jumeirah. The infrastructure initiative forms a vital component of a broader traffic enhancement framework aimed at reducing vehicular congestion, strengthening pedestrian safety, and improving urban connectivity across residential, commercial, and tourism hubs on the island.
Hussain Al Banna, Chief Executive Officer of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, highlighted that the project underscores the strategic synergy between the public transit authority and Dubai Holding in delivering integrated mobility solutions. He noted that the initiative directly addresses current traffic densities while accommodating anticipated future urban growth across the emirate.
Francis Gianni, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Community Management, emphasized that the ongoing investment reflects a long-term commitment toward building future-ready, human-centric communities. He stated that the new footbridges will streamline pedestrian accessibility and foster smoother vehicular flow throughout the landmark destination.
The first pedestrian bridge will be erected near the Shoreline area at the entry corridor of Palm Jumeirah, while the second will be constructed at Golden Mile, adjacent to the commercial retail strip. The project is slated to benefit over 16,000 island residents, while cutting vehicular waiting times at adjacent intersections by up to 50 per cent.
Advancing Road Safety and Capacity Standards
The project aligns with the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy, which seeks to eliminate road fatalities by expanding high-standard pedestrian infrastructure. Official data indicates that pedestrian fatality rates in the emirate dropped by 98 per cent between 2007 and 2025, driven by a massive expansion in footbridges and underpasses—which grew from 26 structures in 2006 to 178 by late 2025, marking an increase of 585 per cent.
The two new structures will feature a combined operational capacity of 2,700 pedestrians per hour, comfortably exceeding current footfall demand and building operational buffer capacity for future tourism expansion.
Phased Implementation and Accessibility
According to the project timeline, the Shoreline bridge on the inbound side is scheduled for completion in June 2027, followed by the Golden Mile bridge on the outbound side in October 2027. Comprehensive traffic management plans will remain active throughout the construction phase to minimize disruption to commuter traffic.
Each bridge will span 40 metres and integrate inclusive design standards, featuring heavy-duty elevators and barrier-free access tailored for senior citizens and People of Determination. Architecturally, the structures will mirror Palm Jumeirah’s premium urban aesthetic.
The construction falls under a major master agreement signed between the RTA and Dubai Holding in March 2025, which encompasses road network upgrades across 15 development sectors. Alongside the footbridges, six strategic locations on Palm Jumeirah will receive dedicated acceleration and deceleration lanes to eliminate surface-level bottlenecks.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com