Dubai’s $1.4bn Infinity Bridge over the Dubai Creek has been opened to the public, marking another architectural landmark coming on-stream in the emirate.

The bridge has six lanes in each direction for vehicular traffic and is a key component of the Al Shindagha Corridor Project, spanning 13km along Sheikh Rashid Street, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street, said the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which added that the cost was of the total project built together.

The Infinity Bridge has an architectural arch shaped in the form of the infinity symbol. The bridge’s iconic structural design is inspired by the infinity concept, which symbolises Dubai’s unlimited ambitions, said the RTA.

The authority added that the Infinity Bridge supports development needs and improves the link between Deira and Bur Dubai by raising the total number of lanes crossing Dubai Creek from 48 to 60. It can accommodate 24,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and features a combined 3-metre-wide track for pedestrians and cyclists.

Al Shindagha Corridor is a key strategic project that the RTA has undertaken in 11 phases. Construction works on the project started in 2016 and will be completed by 2027 according to the urban development plan of the area.

Currently, there are two circular roads to ease traffic flow and support economic activity in the city. The first is an external road that constitutes an extension of Sheikh Rashid Street and passes along Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, Cairo Street and Al Ittihad Street, said the RTA.

The second is an internal road that constitutes an extension of Sheikh Rashid Street and passes along Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, Abu Bakr Al Siddique Street and Umm Hurair Street, it added.

The current section of Al Shindagha Corridor Project encompasses the construction of 15 junctions with a total length of 13k, said the RTA, adding that due to its immense scope, the project is being built in five phases. The completion rate in the entire section of the project has now reached 85% and is expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

The Corridor serves Deira and Bur Dubai in addition to several development projects such as Deira Islands, Dubai Seafront, Dubai Maritime City and Port Rashid, and is expected to serve one million persons. It will slash travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes by 2030, and the time saved over 20 years will be worth about AED45 billion, estimated the RTA.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the newly constructed bridge accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security.

Reiterating Dubai’s continued commitment to infrastructure development as one of the vital pillars of the emirate’s comprehensive plan for economic and social advancement, Sheikh Mohammed said: “The roads and transport sector is critical not only to accelerating economic growth but also enhancing the wellbeing of the community. The rapid development of Dubai’s roads and transport network, with investments exceeding AED140 billion over the past 15 years reflects our belief in the role a strong infrastructure base plays in enhancing our global competitiveness, creating new growth opportunities, providing a supportive environment for business and ensuring the highest possible quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors to the emirate.”

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, RTA director-general and chairman on the ongoing implementation of infrastructure projects in Dubai, especially in the roads and transport sector.