Dubai plans walkways to reduce car trips

DUBAI // A network of air-conditioned tunnels and pedestrian bridges is to be built throughout Dubai to encourage people to leave their cars behind for short journeys. The plan, which will start with a pilot project and later expand to cover several key locations in the city, will link metro stations, shopping centres and other buildings, and will ease traffic on the roads by making it more attractive to walk, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

"The network of air-conditioned crossings and subways, which is the first of its kind in the Gulf, will cover the most vital areas in the emirate. It will enable the public to move between buildings in an air-conditioned and clean environment, far away from traffic jams and hot weather," said Abdul Younes, the chief executive of the RTA's strategy and corporate support services department. "These buildings will also be linked with the main roads as well as the stations of the Dubai metro project. This will ease the mobility of pedestrians and allow them to access these places.

"This strategy will minimise the reliance on using vehicles for short trips, and will cut road congestion as well as pollution in the emirate." [e-mail]