UAE Community Blog: Easing traffic: Dubai's floating bridge

01 August, 2007

Easing traffic: Dubai's floating bridge

The floating bridge of Dubai.

This has opened after Business Bay, "the other bridge".

So what do you all think of the new "floating bridge of Dubai"?

*post updated with photos above

21 comments:

Anonymous said...: Can you please link to a relevant article explaining about the floating bridge?; 01 August, 2007 03:33
i*maginate said...: Most "commenters" of this post wouldn't need "articles" but here goes, if they need it:

type (in google) "dubai floating bridge"; 01 August, 2007 03:56
Grumpy Goat said...: This is what I think of it. (Shamelessly cross-posting!); 01 August, 2007 07:19
Anonymous said...: Oh dear! The rich have been inconvenienced again. How cruel can this city get?; 01 August, 2007 10:19
hut said...: Grumpy, the floating bridge is only temporary, and Festival city is a loooong way from completion; By the time it is fully occupied(buildings and marina), the floating bridge will be gone, and the new Garhoud bridge ready.

As they always say, if God wills it.
(which is a brilliant responsibility waiver); 01 August, 2007 10:27
Mme Cyn said...: Not on, Nick. Though this may be the case, it is shameful that RTA has blocked people's boats in with the floating bridge and expects them to just hang around until the bridge comes down again. When will that be? And you can bet the boat owners still have to pay full whack for mooring fees for their now useless boats. Sure, technically they can still keep their boats in the marina or Festival City, but it's pointless to have a boat if you can't use it.

So RTA expects them to hang on until Garhoud is finished and the floating bridge is down? Ha! RTA will discover that even with the new Garhoud they'll need the extra crossing.

I say close down the bridge on the weekends at least, and let people use their boats.; 01 August, 2007 14:18
Stained said...: they plan to work on a new bridge on the current location of the floating. But I assume that ain't going to happen until the metro is near to its completion....so 2010 is the likely year for a proper bridge is replaces unless what I have heard is wrong....

i havent used it though i plan to cross it by car & feet, just to see how it feels, looks etc....

cheers...; 01 August, 2007 14:38
hemlock said...: on reading grumpy goat's post and ancient mariner's comment... one cant help but wonder - luxury vs necessity. how many of us would give up our desires for other people's needs?

the floating bridge was built to ease traffic congestion and offer respite to people who spend 4-5 hours stuck in traffic.
except that GG's concern is valid in its own right.

if we were to prioritize things, what would take precedence? someone's time, or someone else's money?; 01 August, 2007 16:21
B.D. said...: I have to concur with the above comment. Regarding mme cyn's it is shameful that RTA has blocked people's boats in with the floating bridge and expects them to just hang around until the bridge comes down again, one always has to balance the greater good. Look at the businesses and individuals adversely affected by metro construction. That's the way it has to be to construct new infrastructure in a place that is already built up. Is it really much to ask for a couple dozen boat owners to make a sacrafice that will benefit a whole city--those individuals included?; 01 August, 2007 16:59
i*maginate said...: Wow, there are so many interesting points of view here.

I didn't really know much about the floating bridge, only that it apparently floats ;) Yesterday I was in the area, and decided to try it out. I loved it (well, personally I love discovering new routes and roads just for the adventure) and additionally, there's an official walkway on the bridge that's pretty wide. The view is absolutely magnificent: so much so, that I'm willing to brave the summer heat and go back to take some snaps.

I'm pretty sure it's eased congestion and that's great for the city.

I wasn't aware the bridge would block the path of boats, but I did notice a sign displaying times of operation for the bridge. Does the bridge not get "raised" (whatever the word is) for boats outside the times of operation? If so, what's the point of having "hours of operation"?

Are you guys saying boats that are berthed @ DFC have no way of getting past the floating bridge?

Hmm, wasn't aware of these points.

"Is it really much to ask for a couple dozen boat owners to make a sacrafice that will benefit a whole city--those individuals included?"

B.D. Great sentiments, and although I agree with you, I'm afraid not many think like you - for many reasons!; 01 August, 2007 19:12
Mme Cyn said...: True, BD, the people suffering with construction outside their front doors are putting up with it for the greater good, but they are inconvenienced, not totally stymied. they can still do business, go in and out, etc. You CANNOT get around that bridge except in the middle of the night or at dawn, which is just not feasible for boating. I'm not suggesting RTA close the bridge--I'm suggesting they close it on Fridays when it isn't really needed (and Saturdays for that matter), or even opening it a couple of times during the day (like a drawbridge) so water traffic can pass. It's not just the rich ritzy boat owners, either; lots of Dubai's tourism is connected to the creek, not to mention the abra dockyard (which someone else has laready mentioned).; 02 August, 2007 11:52
Anonymous said...: In consideration to boat owners, temporary docking may perhaps be organised by RTA next to the current dhow wharfage. Still inconvenient, but it may help. What say, mme cyn?; 02 August, 2007 12:46
Grumpy Goat said...: One of the links found by Googling Dubai floating bridge is this one. According to the Dubai Enquirer back in September 2006,'[t]he rolling segment of the bridge allows it to open and close at intervals of 20 minutes. These opening and closing times will be set in coordination with the authorities regulating the movement of ships and ferries crossing Dubai Creek. Ferries on the other hand will have a side-way passage that will not require the opening and closing of the Floating Bridge.'.

Does anyone know for sure if the opening span is opened during the night and 'at intervals of 20 minutes.'? If so, the concerns of boat operators should be allayed. But perhaps the 20-minute opening periods during the day are imaginary; similar to the fiction: 'set to be completed by March 2007.'; 02 August, 2007 13:07
i*maginate said...: GG, you see, there was no point linking to any article because they'd be irrelevant/outdated, yaani the dates are inaccurate so for me there's no point in referring to it.

Only way of really seeing what the "opening times" are are guess what? Call whoeever's in charge, or do it the old-fashioned way: get down there and look at the signboard that states the official timing.

Provided my car can stop somewhere other than the bridge footpath, I'm going to be plucking up the courage in this heat to go take some snaps. I'll try taking one of the signboard for ya. ;); 02 August, 2007 15:38
Anonymous said...: I am tired of reading imaginate's posts. Somebody please make her "leave" this commmunity.
We don't want people wasting their time reading her uber-crap.; 02 August, 2007 22:32
i*maginate said...: GG, sorry, ref to the attached pics, I could not spot the signboard, I think I had already passed it so couldn't snap it for ya (for the opening times).; 03 August, 2007 16:47
rosh said...: Wow neat pics! The bridge looks yummy! Thanks i*... :); 03 August, 2007 18:19
i*maginate said...: My pleasure, rosh :)

The middle pic shows the walkway (which I think was only on this side). If you note the left pic, there's a brave cyclist peddling away ;)

There's not much traffic flowing on the bridge from my observations but it's a great subsitute/alternative route.

P.S. the pics only show one side of the bridge - the other side is not visible

Pretty place to spend a pleasant evening (when it gets a little cooler!); 03 August, 2007 21:47
BuJ said...: Groovy :-)
Nice pics ya I*maginate.. btw.. the kinda anons you seem to attract always make me laugh.. especially the one right at the top asking for a link.. must we spoon feed everyone! Including em anonykids?; 04 August, 2007 22:52
BuJ said...: Here's a link from Gulf News dated June 2006 about the Floating Bridge:

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/05/30/10043515.html; 05 August, 2007 14:22
i*maginate said...: *Buj, glad you like the photos!

When I wrote the post, I had only ventured down the bridge for the 2nd time. The 3rd time was when I took the pics.

I truly love it. This is my "fave new spot" of Dubai, it is just so wonderful to be able to stroll down a bridge so close to the water, bang in the middle of all of Dubai's landmarks.

FYI: today, at the same time I took the pics 3 days ago, the traffic towards Dubai-town (opp side of the ones I took the pic of) was full, yet when I looked towards Maktoum Bridge, it was relatively free-flowing.

From an engineering point of view, in comparison to the times I was on the bridge before, the bridge was "levelled/angled" more than twice. (It wasn't as straight as it was when I first when down it, and I also observed the Creek was calmer). Me: not an engineering pro, but some observations...

The article is outdated, which is why I didn't link to it. It's here now. I hope the bridge eases congestion for all and makes traffic lighter for all crossing into either part of town.

As for the anons, no problem with the one at the top. A genuine, polite request will always be entertained. One which is isn't usually makes me laugh, too, though sometimes it makes me worry about their mental health...; 06 August, 2007 01:01