Dubai’s master developer, Nakheel, has announced that design work of three 12-lane bridges connecting Palm Deira to mainland Deira has been completed. 

The bridges will cost an estimated Dh1.980 billion ($539 million).

The announcement follows a meeting between Abdulla Bin Sulayem, operations director of Palm Deira and James R Shabelle, president, Parsons Transportation Group, a global provider of construction advisory solutions.

At the same time, Nakheel has formed an alliance with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai to connect the transportation network on mainland Deira to the network being developed by Nakheel on Palm Deira. Along with similar integrated networks for the Metro and Marine transport, residents will have the flexibility to travel around the emirates with their preferred mode of transport.

 Abdulla Bin Sulayem, operations director of Palm Deira, Nakheel, commented: “We congratulate Parsons Group on completing the design work on the Palm Deira bridges to the highest specifications. This is a huge project and will include the installation of 44 bridges and a network of modern roads, intersections and metro tunnels.  With the continued support of Parsons Group and RTA Palm Deira will be ready to properly service its residents once complete.'

James R Shabelle, president, Parsons Transportation Group, said: 'The three bridges will not only facilitate residents' movement from the Palm Deira to other parts of the emirates, but will also be an essential connection for water, telecommunications and electricity services. With the bridges in place the development at Palm Deira is set to continue at good pace.'

Construction on the first bridge, which will be 1,000m in length and 15m tall, has already begun.  Excavation work at the second bridge, also 1,000m long, has also commenced and work on the third 1,100m long bridge will begin soon.  

As well as Parsons Group, a number of international architects, designers and consultants are working with the RTA to supervise and implement the designs for the infrastructure projects on the Palm Deira. Once complete, the infrastructure network at Palm Deira will connect 'Central Deira' islands, with a 3.3 million square meters of area and the 'Deira North' island with an area of 6.9 million square meters and the 'Deira interface' island with an area of 5 million square meters. - TradeArabia News Service