Construction has started on two pedestrian bridges in Palm Jumeirah as part of a project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and facilitating traffic flow throughout the iconic location. It is a collaborative initiative between Dubai Holding Community Management and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The initial bridge is set to be constructed close to Shoreline, at the entrance of Palm Jumeirah, with a completion date planned for June 2027. The second, located at Golden Mile next to the shopping areas, is expected in October 2027.
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Together, they will possess a total capacity of 2,700 pedestrians each hour — surpassing existing demand and facilitating future expansion — and are anticipated to benefit around 16,000 residents.
The anticipated waiting time for vehicles at nearby intersections is expected to decrease by 50 percent, resulting in shorter travel times and enhanced traffic flow throughout the region. Every bridge will extend 40 metres and include lifts and auxiliary facilities, built to the highest safety and accessibility standards, especially for senior Emiratis and People of Determination. Their design aims to enhance the unique urban and tourism appeal of Palm Jumeirah.
Hussain Al Banna, CEO of RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency, stated that the initiative demonstrated the strategic collaboration between the RTA and Dubai Holding to merge infrastructure and road network projects with significant developments.
He said it built on ongoing cooperation to deliver "integrated traffic solutions that respond to current and future growth requirements, improve connectivity between areas and key facilities, enhance safety and accessibility, and support sustainable urban development across the emirate."
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Francis Gianni, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Community Management, said the new bridges would "enhance accessibility and connectivity across Palm Jumeirah, while supporting safer pedestrian movement and smoother traffic flow," adding that the investment reflected a commitment to "creating future-ready communities that put people and their everyday experience at the centre."
The sites were chosen based on traffic and field analyses evaluating pedestrian and vehicle counts, land-use trends, as well as present and future mobility requirements. The Shoreline bridge is located on the inbound side of the Palm, while the Golden Mile bridge is on the outbound side, and traffic management strategies will be implemented during construction.
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The initiative is part of a March 2025 pact between the RTA and Dubai Holding to introduce traffic solutions and enhance road infrastructure for 15 zones and development projects throughout Dubai, such as Palm Jumeirah. Scheduled enhancements also encompass added acceleration and deceleration lanes at six spots, along with bridges substituting at-grade crossings.
The bridges are designed to align with the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy's aim of achieving zero road deaths. Between 2007 and 2025, the pedestrian fatality rate in the emirate fell by 98 percent, while the count of pedestrian bridges and underpasses grew from 26 in 2006 to 178 by the close of 2025, marking an increase of about 585 percent.