By Derek Baldwin, Senior Reporter www.gulfnews.com XPRESS
Dubai : New pedestrian bridges popping up across Dubai will encourage a walking culture and cut down on traffic deaths, says a Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official.
The RTA plans to erect more than 90 pedestrian bridges by year’s end. More than 100 pedestrians were killed in 2008, according to the RTA.
Several new steel ped walkways are being built – or ready – in Karama, Deira and Bur Dubai. The new bridge behind Dubai Municipality, for example, is complete and gives government workers and visitors direct and safe access to the Dubai Metro’s Union Square station. A new bridge near the post office in Karama will also keep walkers safe.
Meanwhile, a new walkway in Bur Dubai across six lanes of Bank Street near Al Mina is almost finished and is being welcomed by people of the “Computer Street” district.
‘Lot safer’
A fence runs down the middle of the street, forcing walkers to go long distances to find zebra crossings. “This will certainly be a lot safer,” said Amit Sadra, 25, from Advanced Business Computers. Jameel Ahmad, 24, from Comnat International Computer said, “It’s a good idea, especially for older people who won’t have to walk far to get across the street.”
