{{multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=February 2024}} {{promotional|date=February 2024}} }} {{Infobox bridge | name = Floating Bridge | native_name = الجسر العائم | native_name_lang = Arabic | image = [[File:Al Maktoum Bridge and Floating Bridge on 8 May 2008.jpg|250px]] | image_upright = | alt = | caption = Aerial view of the floating bridge | coordinates = {{coord|25.2489|55.3259|region:AE|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = | carries = Pedestrian and Vehicle | crosses = | locale = [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]] | official_name = | other_name = | named_for = | owner = | maint = | heritage = | id = | id_type = | website = | preceded = | followed = | design = [[Pontoon bridge]] | material = Concrete | material1 = Steel | material2 = | length = 365 metres | width = 22 metres | height = | depth = | traversable = | towpath = | mainspan = | number_spans = | piers_in_water = | load = | clearance_above = | clearance_below = | life = | architect = | designer = | contracted_designer = | winner = | engineering = | builder = Waagner Biro Gulf | fabricator = | begin = | complete = | cost = {{currency|155|AED}} million ({{currency|42|USD}} million) | open = 16 July 2007 | inaugurated = 15 July 2007 | rebuilt = | collapsed = | closed = | replaces = | traffic = | toll = | map_type = | map_relief = | map_dot_label = | map_image = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = }} '''Floating Bridge''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: الجسر العائم) is a [[pontoon bridge]] located in [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-20 |title=Floating Bridge Dubai |url=https://www.waagnerbiro-bridgesystems.com/references/floating-bridge-dubai |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Waagner Biro Bridge Systems |language=en-US}}</ref> The bridge is the first of its kind in the region and was built to try to reduce traffic congestion on the [[Al Garhoud Bridge|Al Garhoud]] and [[Al Maktoum Bridge]]s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Floating bridge, First-of its-kind in the Middle East |url=https://www.egis-group.com/projects/the-floating-bridge-first-of-its-kind-in-the-middle-east |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.egis-group.com |language=en}}</ref> The Floating Bridge is the fifth crossing on [[Dubai Creek]], the others being [[Al Shindagha Tunnel]], [[Al Maktoum Bridge]], [[Al Garhoud Bridge]], [[Infinity Bridge (Dubai)|Infinity Bridge]] and [[Business Bay Crossing]]. [[File:Floating Bridge Deira.jpg|thumb|250px|The Floating Bridge taken at night with several Deira buildings in the background]]

==Construction== The Floating Bridge was ordered by [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]] and subsequently completed by the [[Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai)|Dubai Roads and Transport Authority]]. The bridge was commissioned on 15 July 2007 and cost {{currency|155|AED}} [[million]] ({{currency|42|USD}} million) to build. It has the capacity to hold 6,000 vehicles an hour. The bridge also serves as an alternative route for Al Maktoum Bridge, where [[Salik (Road Toll)|Salik]] was recently implemented.

The construction of the floating bridge faced several technical challenges due to the unique conditions of Dubai Creek. These challenges included ensuring stability of the floating pontoons, accommodating traffic loads and wave action, and maintaining navigation channels.

Waagner Biro Gulf,<ref name=":1" /> a subsidiary of [[Waagner-Biro|Waagner-Biro Stahibau AG]] was given the contract to construct the floating bridge. The bridge is 22 meters wide and 365 meters long. The pontoon bridge, located alongside the Floating Bridge, features six lanes on two identical, mirrored decks, spanning Dubai Creek. Independent support structures were constructed to allow the bridge to hold up to 6000 cars each hour.

The parallel structures were designed to accommodate three lanes and one pedestrian foot walk each. Between the two floating pontoons made of concrete, each 115 meters long and 22 meters wide, a hydraulically driven rotating middle section made of steel is positioned to allow undisturbed navigation. To compensate for differences in level as well as for transverse inclinations (heeling) and longitudinal displacements resulting from traffic loads and wave action acting on the ramp, another two rows of 28 transitory elements were installed between the floating pontoons and the transitory ramp on either bank.

The structure was formed dynamically, distributing wave energy and vehicle pressure along the length and width of the platform so that they cancel each other out. Twenty-three standard elements filled with [[polystyrene]] plates serve as the floating body supporting the bridge at water level. The bridge was assembled in day and night shifts in 23 days.<ref name=":2" /> In total, the time spent on the design, foundation work, installation of the bridge embankments, fabrication, and installation of the steel structures took 10 months. The construction of the floating bridge was completed at a cost of 155 million dirhams (US$42 million)<ref name=":3" /> and on 15 July 2007, an inauguration ceremony was held to officially open the floating bridge.

==Operation== The bridge, which is part of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority's strategy to ease traffic congestion in the emirate, is designed to accommodate an estimated 3,000 vehicles in each direction during peak morning and evening hours and hence reduce congestion on Al Maktoum Bridge by around 37%.

The bridge has a fixed operation timing wherein it closes at night to open the partition of the bridge to allow boats and [[Abra (boat)|abras]] to pass through. According to RTA official the Floating Bridge opening will concur with the launch of the water bus service at the [[Dubai Creek]].

The bridge is located half a kilometer south of the Maktoum Bridge and connects Deira and the Oud Metha Road.

There was an announcement{{when?|date=August 2025}} that a floating bridge would be constructed to link the two sides of Al Mamzar Beach. This 200-meter pedestrian bridge, to be built directly on the water's surface, is proposed to be the first of its kind in Dubai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salim |first=Sahim |title=Dubai to get new floating pedestrian bridge as Al Mamzar, Jumeirah beaches to be revamped |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-announces-new-floating-pedestrian-bridge-over-al-mamzar-beach |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Closure === On May 22, 2023, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) closed Dubai's Floating Bridge until further notice. The bridge was closed for maintenance, which was then extended.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |title=Dubai: Floating Bridge to be closed until further notice, RTA announces |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/transport/dubai-floating-bridge-to-be-closed-until-further-notice-rta-announces |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Sara-Ashia |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Dubai's Floating Bridge to remain closed |url=https://www.timeoutdubai.com/news/floating-bridge-closure |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Time Out Dubai}}</ref>

==Replacement== {{Main|Al Ittihad Bridge}} The floating bridge was expected to be a temporary crossing. It was to be replaced by a new bridge called [[Dubai Smile]] by 2012,<ref name=":3">[http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/11/17/10260200.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909182338/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/new-crossing-planned-across-dubai-creek-1.143726|date=2010-09-09}}</ref> but later Dubai RTA announced that the Floating bridge would be replaced by 12-lane [[Al Ittihad Bridge]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Khaleejtimes Link|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/transport/2014/February/transport_February6.xml&section=transport|access-date=9 February 2014|newspaper=Khaleej Times|archive-date=8 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208230314/http://khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data%2Ftransport%2F2014%2FFebruary%2Ftransport_February6.xml&section=transport|url-status=dead}}</ref> The construction of the Al Ittihad Bridge was expected to be completed in late 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/dubai-s-al-ittihad-bridge-to-be-ready-by-early-2018-2014-07-22-1.557313|title=Dubai's Al Ittihad Bridge to be ready by early 2018|last=Deulgaonkar|first=Parag|date=2014-07-22|work=Emirates 24{{!}}7|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Image gallery== '''Construction of the Floating Bridge on 31 May 2007''' <gallery> Image:Floating Bridge Under Construction on 31 May 2007 Pict 1.jpg| Image:Floating Bridge Under Construction on 31 May 2007 Pict 2.jpg| Image:Floating Bridge Under Construction on 31 May 2007 Pict 3.jpg| Image:Floating Bridge Under Construction on 31 May 2007 Pict 4.jpg| Image:Floating Bridge Under Construction on 31 May 2007 Pict 5.jpg| </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070809180700/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/07/16/10139651.html Floating bridge over Dubai Creek opens] ''[[Gulf News]]'' (16 July 2007) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070809162508/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/07/17/10139743.html Pontoon will ease Maktoum bridge traffic] ''[[Gulf News]]'' (17 July 2007) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070821075528/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/07/21/10140714.html Floating bridge completed in just 300 days] ''[[Gulf News]]'' (20 July 2007)

{{Bridges and tunnels in Dubai}}{{Dubai topics}}

[[Category:Geography of Dubai]] [[Category:Bridges in the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 2007]] [[Category:Transport in Dubai]] [[Category:Pontoon bridges]] [[Category:Bridges in Dubai]]