# Floating Bridge, Dubai > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Floating_Bridge%2C_Dubai > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Floating_Bridge%2C_Dubai.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_Bridge%2C_Dubai > Source revision: 1303957931 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Floating Bridge, Dubai" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article contains promotional content. 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(February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Bridge in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Floating Bridge الجسر العائم Aerial view of the floating bridge Coordinates 25°14′56″N 55°19′33″E / 25.2489°N 55.3259°E / 25.2489; 55.3259 Carries Pedestrian and Vehicle Locale Dubai, United Arab Emirates Characteristics Design Pontoon bridge Material Concrete Trough construction Steel Total length 365 metres Width 22 metres History Constructed by Waagner Biro Gulf Construction cost DH 155 million (US$42 million) Opened 16 July 2007 Inaugurated 15 July 2007 Location Interactive map of Floating Bridge **Floating Bridge** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): الجسر العائم) is a [pontoon bridge](/source/Pontoon_bridge) located in [Dubai](/source/Dubai), United Arab Emirates.[1] The bridge is the first of its kind in the region and was built to try to reduce traffic congestion on the [Al Garhoud](/source/Al_Garhoud_Bridge) and [Al Maktoum Bridges](/source/Al_Maktoum_Bridge).[2] The Floating Bridge is the fifth crossing on [Dubai Creek](/source/Dubai_Creek), the others being [Al Shindagha Tunnel](/source/Al_Shindagha_Tunnel), [Al Maktoum Bridge](/source/Al_Maktoum_Bridge), [Al Garhoud Bridge](/source/Al_Garhoud_Bridge), [Infinity Bridge](/source/Infinity_Bridge_(Dubai)) and [Business Bay Crossing](/source/Business_Bay_Crossing). The Floating Bridge taken at night with several Deira buildings in the background ## Construction The Floating Bridge was ordered by [Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum](/source/Mohammed_bin_Rashid_Al_Maktoum) and subsequently completed by the [Dubai Roads and Transport Authority](/source/Roads_and_Transport_Authority_(Dubai)). The bridge was commissioned on 15 July 2007 and cost [DH](/source/United_Arab_Emirates_dirham) 155 [million](/source/Million) ([US$](/source/United_States_dollar)42 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](/source/Salik_(Road_Toll)) 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,[2] a subsidiary of [Waagner-Biro Stahibau AG](/source/Waagner-Biro) 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](/source/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.[3] 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)[4] 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 [abras](/source/Abra_(boat)) 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](/source/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?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] 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.[5] ### 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.[6][3] ## Replacement Main article: [Al Ittihad Bridge](/source/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](/source/Dubai_Smile) by 2012,[4] but later Dubai RTA announced that the Floating bridge would be replaced by 12-lane [Al Ittihad Bridge](/source/Al_Ittihad_Bridge).[7] The construction of the Al Ittihad Bridge was expected to be completed in late 2018.[8] ## Image gallery **Construction of the Floating Bridge on 31 May 2007** ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Floating Bridge Dubai"](https://www.waagnerbiro-bridgesystems.com/references/floating-bridge-dubai). *Waagner Biro Bridge Systems*. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2024-09-16. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) ["The Floating bridge, First-of its-kind in the Middle East"](https://www.egis-group.com/projects/the-floating-bridge-first-of-its-kind-in-the-middle-east). *www.egis-group.com*. Retrieved 2023-07-18. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_3-1) Kent, Sara-Ashia (May 22, 2023). ["Dubai's Floating Bridge to remain closed"](https://www.timeoutdubai.com/news/floating-bridge-closure). *Time Out Dubai*. Retrieved July 18, 2023. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_4-1) [\[1\]](http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/11/17/10260200.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100909182338/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/new-crossing-planned-across-dubai-creek-1.143726) 2010-09-09 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Salim, Sahim. ["Dubai to get new floating pedestrian bridge as Al Mamzar, Jumeirah beaches to be revamped"](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-announces-new-floating-pedestrian-bridge-over-al-mamzar-beach). *Khaleej Times*. Retrieved 2024-10-23. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Web Desk. ["Dubai: Floating Bridge to be closed until further notice, RTA announces"](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/transport/dubai-floating-bridge-to-be-closed-until-further-notice-rta-announces). *Khaleej Times*. Retrieved 2024-03-22. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Khaleejtimes Link"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140208230314/http://khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data%2Ftransport%2F2014%2FFebruary%2Ftransport_February6.xml§ion=transport). *Khaleej Times*. Archived from [the original](http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/transport/2014/February/transport_February6.xml§ion=transport) on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Deulgaonkar, Parag (2014-07-22). ["Dubai's Al Ittihad Bridge to be ready by early 2018"](http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/dubai-s-al-ittihad-bridge-to-be-ready-by-early-2018-2014-07-22-1.557313). *Emirates 24|7*. Retrieved 2018-05-28. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Floating Bridge, Dubai](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Floating_Bridge,_Dubai). - [Floating bridge over Dubai Creek opens](https://web.archive.org/web/20070809180700/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/07/16/10139651.html) *[Gulf News](/source/Gulf_News)* (16 July 2007) - [Pontoon will ease Maktoum bridge traffic](https://web.archive.org/web/20070809162508/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/07/17/10139743.html) *[Gulf News](/source/Gulf_News)* (17 July 2007) - [Floating bridge completed in just 300 days](https://web.archive.org/web/20070821075528/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/07/21/10140714.html) *[Gulf News](/source/Gulf_News)* (20 July 2007) v t e Bridges and tunnels in Dubai Al Garhoud Bridge Al Ittihad Bridge Al Maktoum Bridge Al Shindagha Tunnel Business Bay Crossing Floating Bridge Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing v t e Dubai History Timeline Geography Government Culture History Trucial States House of Maktoum Bani Yas Geography Bur Dubai Deira Deira Corniche Dubai Creek Hatta Government Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dubai Police Force Dubai Municipality Education List of schools in Dubai American University in Dubai Dubai Men's College Dubai Women's College Birla Institute of Technology and Science Zayed University SP Jain Center of Management Religion Grand Mosque Hindu Temple St. Mary's Catholic Church Churches Complex St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church United Christian Church of Dubai Demographics Emiratis Afro-Emiratis Expatriates Indians Pakistanis List of people from Dubai Towns Buildings Places Structures Towns Dubai Al Aweer Buildings and structures List of buildings in Dubai List of tallest buildings in Dubai 21st Century Tower Burj Al Arab Burj Khalifa Chelsea Tower Dubai Frame Dubai World Trade Centre Emirates Towers Parks Burj Park Mushrif Park Safa Park Zabeel Park Real estate Palm Islands The World Dubai Islands Dubai Marina Dubai Waterfront Business Bay Dubailand Bawadi Dubai South Dubai Festival City Jumeirah Beach Residence Palm Jumeirah Palm Jebel Ali Bridges and tunnels Al Shindagha Tunnel Al Maktoum Bridge Floating Bridge Al Garhoud Bridge Business Bay Crossing Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing Bridge of Tolerance Economy Trade Commerce Trade and commerce Al-Ghurair Group Art Emaar Du Dubai Gold Souk / Spice Souk Dubai Holding Dubai Ports World Etisalat Souk Al Bahar Waterfront Market Ports Port Rashid Jebel Ali Al Hamriya Port Port Saeed Free zones Dubai International Financial Centre Dubai Internet City Dubai Knowledge Village Dubai Media City Dubai Production City Dubai Silicon Oasis Jebel Ali Shopping malls BurJuman Ibn Battuta Mall Deira City Centre Dubai Mall Dubai Marina Mall Mall of the Emirates Transport Transport Al Maktoum International Airport Dubai International Airport Abra Dubai Loop Dubai Metro Red Line Green Line Dubai Tram Dubai Trolley Dubai Water Canal Emirates (airline) flydubai Palm Jumeirah Monorail Routes E 11 E 311 E 44 E 66 E 77 E 611 D 94 D 92 D 89 D 85 D 75 D 73 D 90 Sister cities Chennai Detroit Geneva Shanghai Casablanca Frankfurt Guangzhou Osaka Beirut Dundee Gold Coast Moscow Istanbul Damascus Barcelona Category Outline WikiProject --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Floating Bridge, Dubai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_Bridge%2C_Dubai) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_Bridge%2C_Dubai?action=history)). 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