Dubai increases infrastructure spend with several new major RTA projects slated for the next five years

• Package of new projects includes a Sky Garden, bicycle lanes and promenades at Sheikh Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah Beach
• New bicycle share programme to be developed with Careem
• Plans also account for current roadwork expansion projects across Dubai, and construction of new internal roads in residential areas

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved a new five-year plan of infrastructure spend on future projects to be developed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The raft of projects includes a Sky Garden, bicycle lanes and promenades at Sheikh Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah Beach, as well as road and public transport projects and the construction of internal roads in residential districts.

The new Sky Garden project will serve as a new tourist attraction, according to Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the RTA. The proposed footbridge, 380 m long and 60 m tall, will span an area of 3,422 sq m. It will feature multi-level lanes for cycling and running, connecting the redeveloped Al Seef area to the Deira side of the Creek. It will also include new commercial outlets and naturally shaded areas that encourage outdoor activities.

The ruler was also briefed on the details of the Sheikh Zayed Road promenade located between Dubai World Trade Centre and Financial Centre metro stations. According to unveiled plans, the area underneath the Dubai Metro viaduct will be transformed into a green space stretching 2.5 km, with three main focal points called Bazaar Street, Technology Park and Urban Park, spanning an area of 54,000 sq m.

A new bicycle sharing project is also in the works by RTA, in cooperation with ride-hailing operator Careem. The proposal aims to have 3,500 bicycles at 350 stations across Dubai with customers able to rent bikes with their credit cards, NOL cards or smartphone apps like S’Hail. Careem will enable the bicycles with GPS and smart features for tracking, and predicting high occupancy areas.

A new Sunset Promenade project, spread across 80,000 sq m of beachfront area connected to Jumeriah Beach Walk, will be developed over the coming years. Similarly, the Umm Suqeim Promenade, to be located between Mall of the Emirates and Madinat Jumeirah, will be spread over 28,000 sq m and also developed according to proposed plans. It will feature three main recreational areas for families – City Hub Plaza, Time Out Plaza and Village Plaza – and a 110 m pedestrian bridge above Jumeirah with dedicated cycling and running lanes.

Deira is also scheduled for a makeover, with Sheikh Mohammed approving plans for the Deira Plaza project, spanning an area of 35,000 sq m. The new plaza will offer open spaces for public events, recreation and also provide public rest areas and multi-storey parking.

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