Pedestrian bridge over Sheikh Zayed Street

Residents, shoppers and office workers applaud the unofficial opening of a footbridge over Sheikh Zayed Street in a part of the city where pedestrians often had to cross the road from unsafe areas.

The pedestrian bridge across Sheikh Zayed Street unofficially opened for public use on February 22, 2015. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Residents, shoppers and office workers have applauded Sunday morning’s unofficial opening of a footbridge over Sheikh Zayed Street in a part of the city where pedestrians often had to cross the road from unsafe areas.

“Our management had requested the municipality to build a bridge here years ago,” said Roque Rodrigues, a technician at Corniche Hospital who lived across the road, behind LuLu Centre.

“We are finally seeing this project which provides a safe means for pedestrians and cyclists to cross over Sheikh Zayed Street.”

Previously, he and his colleagues would walk towards the Sofitel Hotel on Khalifa Street, use the pedestrian underpass to get to the Sheraton Hotel, and then walk to Corniche Hospital.

“It usually took us about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the hospital,” Mr Rodrigues said. “Now it only takes about five minutes. It’s safer and more convenient.”

Mohammed Bafaqas, a 33-year-old Emirati who worked as a public relations officer, said the lack of parking spots near the LuLu Centre prompted many motorists to park on the other side of the road, behind the Royal International Hotel, and cross the street.

“It’s good that the municipality has decided to build a bridge here,” he said. “It will be a lot safer for residents.”

Alafatih Hassan, 42, who had lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for 15 years, agreed, saying: “We’re grateful that something has been done to improve pedestrian safety in this area. I know many people are very happy with this new development.”

The bridge, near the Sheikh Zayed Tunnel exit on the Corniche, was called for last year with residents risking their lives by darting across seven lanes of traffic.

The centre of the road was barricaded, but temporary red and white barriers did not deter pedestrians from crossing at unsafe locations.

Syed Khader, 55, a supervisor working on the advanced traffic system of the Sheikh Zayed Tunnel, said he hoped the bridge would encourage pedestrians to cross safely.

“The government is building facilities for our safety and convenience so we should at least use them,” he said.

“But,” he said, pointing to two jaywalkers, “look at these two men who prefer to cross the street, which is so dangerous.”

On Monday, workers at the site were busy putting the finishing touches to the bridge.

Other workers were installing fences on the central reservation to make jaywalking impossible.

Guiliano Moret, a Swiss pilot who lived near the Porsche showroom, said the bridge would offer only a partial solution, however.

“The other aspect of pedestrian safety is still neglected: all adjacent areas for pedestrians are still unfinished, covered with sand and mud, and unsecured,” he said.

And, said Mr Moret, there was no lift for elderly people, children or mothers with prams or shopping bags.

“The crossing of the exit of Salam Street towards Meena Street is still a big unresolved issue,” he said.

“Only a speed hump in the street could cure this, and the same dangerous situation is still existing when crossing Meena Street towards the new bridge.”

Like most of the existing white and beige pedestrian bridges in the city, the design allowed the bridge to be erected overnight without disrupting the flow of traffic.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality, which revealed plans to open a pedestrian bridge at the tunnel exit in June 2013, did not respond to phone and email requests for comment.