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April 2008

Landmark Al Garhoud bridge opens in Dubai

The official opening of the landmark Al Garhoud Bridge took place on Saturday 15 March and marked the bridge being made fully operational to traffic.

This major creek crossing is a key component in the Roads and Transport Authority’s solution to improve Dubai’s traffic flow, and Halcrow was responsible for the design and site supervision throughout.

The new bridge was completed in a record 24 months - from design to full operation. And more than 2,000 workers were involved in its construction.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the bridge at the official opening. Halcrow’s regional managing director, David Yaw, regional operations and development director, Jim Fyvie, market sector manager for  bridges, Alan Sharpe, resident engineer, Raghbir Channa and project manager, Manjunatha Malige also attended the opening.

David Yaw said “Although we did not have an opportunity to meet the Deputy Ruler in person, we did meet Matar al Tayer, Chairman of RTA, who thanked us for our contribution.”

“Special thanks and congratulations go to everyone who worked on the bridge – it is a tremendous success. Particular thanks go to Manjunatha Malige and Raghbir Channa who both worked hard to build a strong, ongoing relationship with the client and took the project through to completion.

“This kind of relationship building is key to the success of our refreshed vision in the region and I commend both Manju and Raghbir for their proactive and dedicated support in this.“

Al Garhoud Bridge facts

	The new bridge will have a capacity for 16,000 vehicles per hour. The old bridge had a capacity of only 8,000 cars per hour
	It will have seven lanes from Bur Dubai to Deira and six lanes (expandable to seven in future) from Deira to Bur Dubai).
	Its total length is 520 metres and it is 15 metres above the water level, ensuring free navigation for boats in the Dubai Creek. (The old Al Garhoud bridge and Al Maktoum Bridge were closed for traffic at a certain time at night every day to make way for bigger boats passing through the Dubai Creek.)
	With the New Al Garhoud Bridge the number of lanes crossing the Creek has risen to 48.

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