Dubai Roads and Transport Authority is implementing the giant Shindagha axis project, which consists of five stages, the first started in 2015, and the last phase ends in 2027. It is one of the most important projects implemented by Dubai to develop the road network, through a package of new bridges and tunnels, which accommodate the needs of urban and population growth What the city has witnessed in recent years, and the project includes the Al-Shindagha Bridge, which adds to Dubai a unique landmark by designing it in the form of an 'infinite' sign.

Dubai has allocated 46% of the 2020 budget to support the economy, infrastructure and transportation sector, to emphasize the further enhancement of the emirate's competitiveness, through the implementation of all vital infrastructure projects aimed at providing distinguished and advanced services.

It took the implementation of the first phase from January 2015 to November 2016, and included the development of the “Wafi” intersection, with Sheikh Rashid and Oud Metha streets. The project included the implementation of a bridge with a length of 700 meters and a capacity of three tracks from Oud Metha Street towards Sheikh Rashid Street and from it to Sheikh Zayed and Al Saada Street, and the capacity of the bridge is about 3,300 vehicles per hour.

The second phase started in January 2016 and ended in May 2018, and included the development of the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Street with Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street. And a tunnel on Sheikh Rashid Street in both directions, Al Garhoud and Mina Rashid, with a capacity of four tracks in each direction. The tunnel achieved a great flow of traffic on Sheikh Rashid Street, as well as the construction of two bridges, the first on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street with a capacity of two tracks in each direction, and the second from Zabeel Street towards Sheikh Rashid Street with a capacity of one track, and contributed to the flow of traffic in the direction of an area Karama and the intersection of the commercial center towards Sheikh Zayed Road.

The third stage included the implementation of the Al-Shindagha Bridge, the development of the Corniche Street, the intersections on Gulf Street, the development of the Falcon Junction and the entrances and exits of Rashid Port, and will be completed at the end of 2022.

The fourth phase that begins in June 2021 includes the implementation of the Shindagha Bridge extension, which will include the development of Gulf Street and the intersection of Gulf Street with Abu Hail Street, the development of the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Street with the Jumeirah, Mina and Al Mankhool streets, through the implementation of bridges with a length of 3.4 km, tunnels of 2.25 km, and seven intersections Surface, roads 5.1 km long, and this phase is expected to be completed in December 2025.

The period of completion of the fifth stage extends from January 2026 to December 2027, during which the bridges leading to the Deira Islands from the south will be implemented with a length of 1.5 km.

Development of "Al-Shindaghah" methods

The development of the road network in the Al-Shindagha region dates back 48 years ago, when the implementation of the Al-Shindagha Tunnel Project was signed in 1972 in the United Kingdom. The tunnel, which opened in 1975, extends 560 meters under the waters of the Dubai Creek.

The tunnel contributed to facilitating traffic, and linked the neighborhoods of Al Ras, Deira Dubai and Shindagha. The tunnel, which rises five meters, consists of two lanes in each direction. The first maintenance work for the tunnel was carried out in 1986, and the maintenance included covering the surfaces of old rebar, treating cracks around water barriers, and using a special type of coating to protect the tunnel concrete.

Infinite icon

The Shindagha Bridge, which is considered one of the distinguished projects in its design, extends along the streets of Sheikh Rashid, the port, the Gulf and Cairo, for a length of 13 km.

The implementation of the bridge comes within the third stage of the Shindaghah axis project. The bridge distinguishes the architectural arch over the car path in the form of an "infinite" sign. The arch rises above the tracks at a distance of 42 meters at the top of the arch.

The bridge, which will be part of it over the waters of Dubai Creek, consists of six tracks in each direction, in addition to a pedestrian crossing. The cost of construction is five billion and 35 million dirhams, and the construction of the bridge needs 2,400 tons of iron, as the bridge will rise 15.5 meters above the level of the Dubai Creek water level, allowing the passage of various types of ships in the creek waters.