Arabian Post Staff -Dubai
The Roads and Transport Authority has approved the 2026-2030 programme after technical and field studies covering population density, land-use patterns, proximity to tourist and commercial districts, and links with metro, tram, bus and marine transport stations. The new crossings will be concentrated on Sheikh Zayed Road, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Al Ittihad Road and Omar bin Al Khattab Street, where heavy traffic and expanding residential demand have sharpened the need for safer movement.
The plan extends a two-decade build-out of crossings across the city’s road network. Dubai had 26 pedestrian bridges and tunnels in 2006; by the end of 2025, that number had reached 178, a rise of 585 per cent. The next phase brings the network closer to the emirate’s broader walkability agenda, which seeks to make daily journeys less dependent on cars while improving public transport access.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the authority, said the expansion reflects Dubai’s aim to provide a safe and sustainable mobility environment for all road users and to become a more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly city. He said existing and planned crossings form an integrated pathway network linking residential communities with major destinations, encouraging residents to use soft mobility for first- and last-mile journeys.
The safety case has become central to the programme. Pedestrian fatalities dropped from 9.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2007 to 0.22 in 2025, a 98 per cent decline. Officials link the improvement to grade-separated crossings, better road design, traffic management and enforcement, although Dubai’s growth means high-speed corridors remain a challenge.
Demand indicators also point to changing behaviour. Pedestrian trips increased from 307 million in 2023 to 326 million in 2025, while cycling trips rose from 46.6 million in 2024 to 57.3 million in 2025. Resident satisfaction with pedestrian infrastructure stood at 88 per cent, strengthening the case for shaded routes, direct crossings and continuous links between homes, workplaces and transit stops.
Three pedestrian and cycling bridges have already been completed as part of the wider programme. Two are on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, providing links across Al Sufouh and Dubai Hills, extending through Dubai Internet City, Barsha Heights and Al Barsha 3. The Sheikh Zayed Road bridge spans 528 metres and the Al Khail Road bridge extends 501 metres. Each is five metres wide, with a three-metre track for bicycles and e-scooters and a two-metre walkway.
A third completed bridge on Al Manara Street in Al Quoz Creative Zone supports movement within the district and towards nearby attractions. It is 45 metres long and 5.5 metres wide, with a clearance of six metres above the road and two ramps, each extending 210 metres. Its design was shaped to fit the creative district’s visual identity, marking a shift from purely functional crossings towards infrastructure that also contributes to the streetscape.
Three more bridges are under construction, including two of the largest pedestrian and cycling bridges in Dubai. One crosses Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road at the Tunis Street-Al Nahda intersection, linking Muhaisnah 1 with Al Twar and onwards to Al Mamzar Beach. It is 554 metres long, 5.6 metres wide and has a clearance of 12.5 metres. Another crosses Dubai-Al Ain Road, linking Liwan with Nad Hessa in Dubai Silicon Oasis. That bridge is 730 metres long, 5.6 metres wide and stands 7.8 metres above the road.
The third bridge under construction forms part of the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project. Located on Al Sukook Street, it is 44 metres long, 4.6 metres wide and 6.5 metres high, with lifts, staircases and an electromechanical systems room. Completion of the three bridges is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
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