CONSTRUCTION-UAE: Dubai Skywalk longest footbridge in the world

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Feb 20 2003 (IPS) - The Union Properties PJSC Skywalk Bridge, claimed to be the longest footbridge between two buildings in the world, was finally hoisted yesterday, linking the 19th floors of the two 20-storey Marriott Executive Apartments (MEA), situated by the Clock Tower roundabout in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The seven-hour operation began at 7.30 a.m. Originally the bridge was scheduled to be put in place on Monday, but it had been postponed for two days because of extremely windy conditions in Dubai, the Dubai-based English daily ‘ Khaleej Times’ reported today.

Measuring 73 meters in length, 6 meters in height and 5.5 meters in width, and weighing 258.67 tons, the Skywalk Bridge is the longest recorded between two buildings, outstripping current record-holder the Petronas Towers Bridge in Kuala Lumpur by some 19 meters and the Tower Bridge in London by 12 meters. If erected vertically, the bridge would stand taller by one meter than the towers it connects, the paper said.

Simon Azzam, Chief Executive Officer of Union Properties, said, "The magnitude of the Skywalk Bridge is immense, all you need to do is look at the figures to realize the complexity of building this bridge. We like to think we bring innovative designs and projects to the UAE, and this is no exception. It’s a world record after all.

– The 37 companies that have worked on the bridge at varying stages have worked harmoniously, and ensured that the end-product fits in with the Dubai skyline and our own objectives."

A scale-model of the Skywalk Bridge was tested in a wind tunnel by Danish Maritime Institute (DMI) in Denmark as part of the building process, and owing to the complexity of completed structure and the varying winds that could impact on the bridge, rigorous and lengthy tests were conducted to test fatigue and the structure’s aerodynamic behavior. The dampers and cantilever mechanism at the connection points at either ends ensure that the bridge withstands varying winds.

The transportation of the bridge from Jebel Ali to the MEA was an exacting task in itself and required meticulous precision. Moving along a pre-negotiated route and escorted by the police, the bridge was transported on a bespoke lorry, over 36 meters in length, weighing 81 tons, a turning circle of 30 meters and an average speed of 3 to 4 mph.

At a pre-destined location in Al Quoz, the bridge section was jacked up to transfer onto a second vehicle, an 80-wheel Goldhoffer transporter.