Al Garhoud Bridge (in
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
: جسر القرهود) is one of three road bridges over
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek ( ar, خور دبي, Khūr Dubay) has been described as a natural saltwater creek, tidal inlet, and watercourse or waterway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It extends about inwards and forms a natural port that has traditional ...
, and one of five crossings, in
Dubai
Dubai (, ; ar, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 emirates of the United Arab Emirates.The Government and Politics of ...
,
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...
. Al Garhoud Bridge forms the eastern end of the road toll (called
Salik
A sālik is a follower of Sufism, from the verb ''salaka'' which means to travel or follow, related to ''sulūk'' "pathway". ''Sulūk'' here specifically refers to a spiritual path, i.e. the combination of the two "paths" that can be followed ...
) that went into effect on 1 July 2007. Since the beginning of Salik, Al Garhoud Bridge has seen low amounts of traffic for Dubai.
Old Al Garhoud Bridge
The old Al Garhoud Bridge was the second bridge constructed that crossed the Creek, after
Al Maktoum Bridge. The bridge opened in 1976. In 2007, nearly 9,000 vehicles crossed the bridge every hour at peak flow. It has been the cause of huge traffic jams in Dubai. The main reason for this was the number of roads that fed into the bridge. On the
Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai (in Arabic: بر دبي) is a historic district in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, located on the western side of the Dubai Creek. The name literally translates to ''Mainland Dubai'', a reference to the traditional separation of the Bur ...
-bound lanes, seven lanes (from three different roads) converged into three lanes.
For the
Deira
Deira ( ; Old Welsh/Cumbric: ''Deywr'' or ''Deifr''; ang, Derenrice or ) was an area of Post-Roman Britain, and a later Anglian kingdom.
Etymology
The name of the kingdom is of Brythonic origin, and is derived from the Proto-Celtic *''daru' ...
-bound lanes, five lanes converged into three lanes.
Also, the bridge had to be closed to allow large boats to pass under it.
The bridge had a total of 6 lanes: 3 lanes in each direction.
New Al Garhoud Bridge
![New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 1 May 2007 Pict 3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/New_Al_Garhoud_Bridge_Under_Construction_on_1_May_2007_Pict_3.jpg)
To solve the major traffic problems caused by the old bridge, a replacement was constructed between 2006 and 2008 by Belgian main contractor
BESIX
BESIX Group is a construction group based in Brussels, one of the world's leading international contractors according to the ENR ranking. Active since 1909, BESIX operates in Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa, North America and Asia.
Its a ...
.
The bridge, which cost 415 million
dirhams
The dirham, dirhem or dirhm ( ar, درهم) is a silver unit of currency historically and currently used by several Arab and Arab influenced states. The term has also been used as a related unit of mass.
Unit of mass
The dirham was a un ...
,
is meant to add more lanes of road that cross Dubai Creek. The new Al Garhoud Bridge has a total of 14 lanes, 7 in each direction.
It is able to handle 16,000 vehicles per hour.
Construction of the bridge began in February 2006 and by 26 September 2007, 76% of the construction was completed.
The bridge is long and above the water.
On 15 December 2007, four lanes on the Deira-bound side were opened to vehicle traffic.
Then on 15 March 2008, as had been scheduled,
remaining lanes on both sides were opened. The old bridge was demolished after the new bridge opened.
Shortly after the bridge opened, the Roads and Transport Authority announced that Al Garhoud Bridge would be decorated with artwork that look like sand dunes during the day and waves at night with the aid of lighting.
Photo gallery
Construction Photos on 31 January 2007
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 31 January 2007 Pict 2.jpg,
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 31 January 2007 Pict 5.jpg,
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 31 January 2007 Pict 6.jpg,
Construction Photos on 1 May 2007
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 1 May 2007 Pict 3.jpg,
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 1 May 2007 Pict 1.jpg,
Construction Photo on 31 May 2007
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge Under Construction on 31 May 2007 Pict 6.jpg,
Construction Photo on 18 October 2007
Image:New Al Garhoud Bridge on 18 October 2007 Pict 4.jpg,
References
{{Dubai topics
Bridges in Dubai
Bridges in the United Arab Emirates
Bridges completed in 1976
Bridges completed in 2008
1976 establishments in the United Arab Emirates