KEO International Consultants said its infrastructure division has joined hands with InSite, the group's allied practice for masterplanning, urban design and landscape architecture, to deliver a major pedestrian bridge as part of the Bluewaters Island development by top Dubai developer Meraas.

The vibrant Bluewaters Pedestrian Bridge is the newest iconic structure to be added to Dubai’s landmarks and will be opened to public soon.

Rising from the surrounding breakwaters and spanning the channel, the bridge provides the link between two Meraas destinations – The Beach opposite JBR and the Bluewaters, a modern, family-oriented island destination with a pioneering spirit that blends waterfront living with the exhilaration of urban city life and home to the world’s tallest and largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai.

Working as the Engineer of Record, third party reviewer and landscape architects, the KEO and InSite team collaborated with Belgian construction group Besix to deliver the 77-m span box-girder bridge project, said the company in a statement.

In this role, KEO handled responsibilities such as performing a third-party check for the bridge design, designing MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) electrical and drainage systems as well as landscaping and maritime signage for the project.

KEO said the Bluewaters Pedestrian Bridge would make the life of pedestrians easier.

This journey was carefully considered during the design process, and the total length of the pedestrian journey, from one end to the other is 265 m via the InSite-designed boardwalk, said the company.

Palm tree-shaded “seating nooks” with Iroko clad built-in seats were also provided as rest areas on the bridge. Each of these two platforms has breathtaking vistas through the glass balustrade to Ain Dubai, The Beach, JBR, as well as down to the turquoise water below through the open slots of the steel grating floor, it stated.

From a distance, the palm trees planted on this lightweight structure can appear to levitate, like green islands above the channel, creating an inviting route and a fitting gateway for pedestrians walking to Bluewaters, it added.

On the achievement, Chris Fannin, the managing director of InSite, said: "KEO and InSite are proud be involved as part of the design team for this exciting structure, fulfilling the roles of Engineer of Record, third party reviewer and landscape architects."

"This remarkable project is a culmination of a great team effort and collaboration with GRID-Portugal and Besix Group. At InSite, we are committed to offering our clients unparalleled urban design, masterplanning and landscape architecture services and contributing to transformational projects in the region such as the Bluewaters," he added.-TradeArabia News Service