SHARJAH // Pedestrian bridges will be built across some of Sharjah’s busiest roads this year after residents complained about the dangers of crossing them.
Pedestrians in Al Taawun said they often ran the risk of being run over by cars, as there were few crossings for Al Ittihad Road and Al Taawun Street.
Sharjah Urban Planning Council has approved the designs of five pedestrian bridges, which will be built across Al Ittihad Road, Al Taawun Street, King Faisal Street and King Abdulaziz Street.
The bridges will be fitted with lifts and shaded walkways to ensure accessibility for the elderly and people with special needs.
Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority said construction of the bridges would begin when the tender was awarded.
Mohammed Rida, who has lived in Al Taawun for six years, said he was forced to take taxis to nearby Al Nahda because it was safer than crossing the street.
“I managed to cross to the other side of Al Ittihad Road a few times but it’s too dangerous while cars are travelling at about 100kph,” said the 28-year-old accountant.
“Nowadays, to be safe, I just stop a taxi or wait for a friend to take me to the other side to reach the hypermarket.
“Not a month passes without me hearing of a pedestrian being run over on this road. The Government should build a bridge or dig a tunnel, just like near the city centre mall.”
Rami Awad, a 38-year-old Egyptian expatriate, was surprised that an area near the Expo Centre Sharjah had no pedestrian crossings.
“On many occasions I’ve almost been run over when trying to cross the road near Expo Centre Sharjah. There is no pedestrian crossing and motorists usually don’t notice or stop for pedestrians there,” he said.
“I don’t understand how a highly populated residential area does not have proper pedestrian crossings, or any road safety measures to save lives.”
The new pedestrian bridges would also benefit drivers who fear crashing into jaywalkers.
Sanaa Darwish, a 24-year-old Syrian secretary who lives in Al Nahda, drives along Al Ittihad Road to her office in Dubai. On several occasions she came across jaywalkers who risked their lives and those of motorists’ by crossing the busy road.
“Two months ago, a worker ran across the road. My husband had to brake hard to avoid running him over.
Thankfully, the driver behind me swerved to evade crashing into our car, while the worker continued to Al Taawun Street without any regard for the motorists,” said Ms Darwish.
Last month, Sharjah Police carried out a campaign to warn people about the dangers of jaywalking.
Police fined 390 jaywalkers in one week.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
