Pedestrian bridge for Dubai's Al Nahda residents

Dubai’s Al Nahda residents welcomed the opening of the pedestrian footbridge on Amman Street.

The Al Nahda area is popular because it sits on the Sharjah-Dubai border and many pedestrians cross over to save on the Dh20 cross-emirate cab fare, and to reduce their daily commute considerably.

“Earlier, we had to sprint across to the other side, dodging traffic, but now we just take the bridge,” says Denise R, a resident of Al Nahda Sharjah, who takes the bus to the Dubai side every day from work.

“It used to be tricky, but we had no other go.”

Rateesh, another resident who lives on the Sharjah side and commutes from Dubai, is equally happy about the new bridge. “We had no option but to run across. It wasn’t safe, but we just had to.”

Nisha, an Al Nahda resident, adds, “So many people cross over from Sharjah to Dubai, vice-versa, and because there is no marked area to cross they just run across.

“It’s extremely scary watching adults drag their kids along with them.”

Residents were even penalised for jaywalking with Dh250 in fine, but the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recognised that pedestrian bridges were the only solution.

In a statement to Emirates24|7, Maitha Bin Adai, CEO, Traffic and Roads Agency, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said three pedestrian bridges were opened in the area. Two at Baghdad street – near Sheikh Rashid school and Pond park, and one on Amman Street near Sahara Centre.

Motorists also complained of driving difficulties in the area, with some calling it a ‘danger zone’.

“Driving through the area was very tricky earlier. You never knew when someone would dash across,” said Nidhi, a resident of the Dubai side. “But, now we can drive without a hitch.”

Until now, the 2km stretch in Dubai’s Al Nahda 1 that runs parallel to the Sharjah border, near Sahara Centre, had only a pedestrian crossing near the NMC traffic signal.

The entire length of the Amman Street has been fenced so that pedestrians stick to using the footbridge.

Emirates24|7 has been tracking the situation in Al Nahda and have been flagging the need for a pedestrian crossing in the area.

In 2012 - Al Nahda jaywalkers face Dh250 fine

In 2013 - Lack of pedestrian crossings puts Al Nahda at risk

In July, 2014 - Nahda residents risk life, Dh200 fine to avoid Dh20 cab fare

In August 2014 - Al Nahda to get pedestrian bridge

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