Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will open a 110-metre pedestrian bridge tomorrow, Tuesday. Developed by Meraas, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding Properties, the bridge connects Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station with Coca-Cola Arena in City Walk.
The project enhances pedestrian infrastructure and safety while improving access for residents and visitors to key recreational destinations. It supports RTA’s vision of improving quality of life and providing safe and sustainable mobility for all. It also reflects Meraas’ commitment to creating interconnected destinations that encourage walking and strengthen people’s connection to their surroundings.
The pedestrian bridge is part of traffic improvement projects implemented by RTA in cooperation with Dubai Holding. These projects aim to develop infrastructure and strengthen connectivity between key areas and tourist and entertainment destinations, particularly City Walk and Coca-Cola Arena. They are designed to improve mobility and traffic safety in line with Dubai’s urban and economic growth, while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly city.
The expansion of pedestrian bridges and tunnels supports the objectives of the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy, which aims to achieve zero road fatalities and make Dubai one of the world’s leading cities for traffic safety. The provision of safe crossings separates pedestrians from vehicles, particularly in areas with high levels of road and pedestrian traffic and near public transport stations, shopping centres, tourist destinations and entertainment venues.
The new bridge has a capacity of approximately 10,000 people per hour, equivalent to 59% of the crowd capacity for a single event. This improves pedestrian traffic management during major events, reduces the need to cross surface roads and limits interaction between pedestrians and vehicles. It also encourages the public to use the Dubai Metro to reach the area, reducing reliance on private vehicles and contributing to smoother traffic flow around Coca-Cola Arena and City Walk.
The bridge is particularly important for visitors to Coca-Cola Arena, which hosts a range of live entertainment and sporting events throughout the year. It provides a safe, direct pedestrian route and helps crowds arrive at and leave the venue, particularly during peak periods when large numbers of visitors are travelling within a short period.
RTA is continuing to implement its five-year plan for 2026–2030, which includes the construction of 31 pedestrian bridges and tunnels at key locations across Dubai. The locations are selected based on technical and field studies that consider population density, pedestrian traffic and proximity to public transport stations and tourist and economic attractions. The plan aims to enhance road-user safety and encourage sustainable mobility and first- and last-mile journeys.
RTA’s development of pedestrian infrastructure has contributed to improvements in traffic safety. The number of pedestrian bridges and tunnels in Dubai increased from 26 in 2006 to 178 by the end of 2025, while the pedestrian death rate fell from 9.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2007 to 0.22 in 2025, reflecting the Authority’s efforts to provide a safe and sustainable mobility environment.
Source: Emirates 24|7