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Floating Bridge (Arabic language: الجسر العائم) is a pontoon bridge located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The bridge is the first of its kind in the region and was built to try to reduce traffic congestion on the Al Garhoud and Al Maktoum Bridges. The Floating Bridge is the fifth crossing on Dubai Creek, the others being Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Infinity Bridge and Business Bay Crossing.
The construction of the floating bridge faced several technical challenges due to the unique conditions of Dubai Creek. These challenges included ensuring stability of the floating pontoons, accommodating traffic loads and wave action, and maintaining navigation channels.
Waagner Biro Gulf, a subsidiary of Waagner-Biro was given the contract to construct the floating bridge. The bridge is 22 meters wide and 365 meters long. The pontoon bridge, located alongside the Floating Bridge, features six lanes on two identical, mirrored decks, spanning Dubai Creek. Independent support structures were constructed to allow the bridge to hold up to 6000 cars each hour.
The parallel structures were designed to accommodate three lanes and one pedestrian foot walk each. Between the two floating pontoons made of concrete, each 115 meters long and 22 meters wide, a hydraulically driven rotating middle section made of steel is positioned to allow undisturbed navigation. To compensate for differences in level as well as for transverse inclinations (heeling) and longitudinal displacements resulting from traffic loads and wave action acting on the ramp, another two rows of 28 transitory elements were installed between the floating pontoons and the transitory ramp on either bank.
The structure was formed dynamically, distributing wave energy and vehicle pressure along the length and width of the platform so that they cancel each other out. Twenty-three standard elements filled with polystyrene plates serve as the floating body supporting the bridge at water level. The bridge was assembled in day and night shifts in 23 days. In total, the time spent on the design, foundation work, installation of the bridge embankments, fabrication, and installation of the steel structures took 10 months. The construction of the floating bridge was completed at a cost of 155 million dirhams (US$42 million) and on 15 July 2007, an inauguration ceremony was held to officially open the floating bridge.
The bridge has a fixed operation timing wherein it closes at night to open the partition of the bridge to allow boats and abras to pass through. According to RTA official the Floating Bridge opening will concur with the launch of the water bus service at the Dubai Creek.
The bridge is located half a kilometer south of the Maktoum Bridge and connects Deira and the Oud Metha Road.
There was an announcement that a floating bridge would be constructed to link the two sides of Al Mamzar Beach. This 200-meter pedestrian bridge, to be built directly on the water's surface, is proposed to be the first of its kind in Dubai.
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