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Permanent bridge to replace Floating Bridge

DUBAI — A permanent bridge that would remain open 24 hours would replace the Floating Bridge across the Dubai creek near Maktoum Bridge, a source source at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) told Khaleej Times today.

The senior RTA official said they did not have any plans to open the Floating Bridge after 10pm as it would have a negative impact on the restaurants and outlets which serve dinner on the boats in the Al Khour Creek. A new bridge is slated to come in place of the Floating Bridge. The construction of the bridge will begin soon.

“The new bridge would be open 24 hours unlike the Floating Bridge which remains open till 10 pm. The senior officials are holdings more talks and discussions in this connection,” said an RTA source.

Presently, the Floating Bridge claims to accommodate 6,000 vehicles during the peak hours. The Bridge has been successful in bringing down the traffic congestion at the existing Maktoum Bridge by 37 per cent. According to the sources, the daily commuters had to face a lot of problems due to the closure of the Floating Bridge during the Holy month of Ramadan.

“Yes, there were a lot of problems. Being the Holy month, the people stay out till late nights on the roads. Almost everyday there was big traffic clog at the Maktoum Bridge as people did not have any other way out. The RTA should have opened up the Floating Bridge during that time,” said the daily commuters.