Metro gets footbridge

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently installed the first footbridge for the Metro on Sheikh Zayed Road, with plans under way to install 19 more by the end of the year.

Installation of the footbridges over minor roads is likely to continue until May 2009. More than 100 footbridge spans will be installed as part of the Metro Red Line Project.

The crossings, which will have moving walkways and high quality finishes, will provide 24-hour, air conditioned and public thoroughfares across Sheikh Zayed Road and other roads.

The footbridges will ease pedestrian accessibility in the city and support the broader objective of promoting reduced dependence on private car usage.

Adnan Al Hammadi, Director of Construction, Rail Projects, said: The planning for the installation of the footbridges, which are being constructed under the Dubai Metro contract, has been going for well over a year now. A dedicated footbridge installation task force was assigned with involvement of the Dubai Metro contractor, RTA rail agency, RTA traffic and roads agency and Dubai Police to investigate how to install the footbridges and identify the optimum solution. The key objective of the installation methodology was to minimise disruption, while ensuring that the safety of the public and Metro workers alike was not compromised."

The RTA demanded that the planning for this critical operation took into consideration all details and addressed all possible scenarios. A detailed method was approved by the RTA.

The approved installation method involves full pre-assembly of the footbridge spans off-site, including not only the main structure of the bridge but also the external cladding, internal fixtures and finishes and electrical and mechanical items.

Since the resulting weight of the pre-assembled footbridges is well in excess of 200 tonnes special self propelled modular transporters, pneumatic lifting jacks and adjustable temporary bearings will be used to transport the footbridges.

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