[smussuw]

Dubai plans to build the world's longest arch bridge at a cost of 3 billion dirhams ($816.9 million), the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Tuesday.

http://worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1929_2_03%20FXFOWLE_6th%20Crossing_Bridge.jpg

The RTA said it would take four years to construct the mega-bridge, which will measure 1,600 metres with an arch 205 metres high and 667 metres long.

Once complete the bridge will overtake the Lupu Bridge in Shanghai as the longest in the world.

The Lupu measures 3,900 metres with an arch span of 550 metres. The span is the most common way to rank arch bridges, so if one bridge has a longer span than another it does not mean the bridge is longer from shore to shore or anchorage to anchorage.

http://worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1929_3_05%20FXFOWLE_6th%20Crossing_From%20Island.jpg

The bridge connects the Bur Dubai and Deira areas of the city and will be the sixth creek crossing. Currently the five Dubai Creek crossings are Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge, the Floating Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge and Business Bay Crossing.

At 64 metres wide, the bridge will accommodate 12 lanes of traffic and a metro line running down its centre.

The bridge will also include a metro station, an abra station and the manmade island on which an Opera theatre will be constructed.

Mattar Al Tayer, executive director of the RTA, said the sixth crossing was one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by the RTA.

"The project aims at easing traffic flow between the two banks of Dubai Creek and serve the new property developments," Al Tayer said.

The RTA is currently investing around $22 billion in Dubai's transport infrastructure as it looks to reduce congestion.

The investment plan allocates $12 billion for new roads, $2.5 billion each for marine transport and tram systems, $6.3 billion for the Dubai Metro and $600 million for new buses.

http://worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1929_4_06%20FXFOWLE_6th%20Crossing_Day.jpg

http://worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1929_1_01%20FXFOWLE_6th%20Crossing_Night.jpg

[texcolo]

Wow!

[J_Taylor]

awsome

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

damn that shit looks amazing.

[GO_UAE]

im starting to realize the impact this bridge is going to have on the city

[staff]

The Chaotianmen (sp?) Bridge in Chong Qing will have overtaken the Lu Pu Bridge in Shanghai long before this Dubai monster is finished.

Awesome bridge!

[Justin10000]

Awe, and wonder aside.

AM I the only one who is getting tired of hearing about Dubai, and how they are wasting the world's resources on grandoiose projects like this? It looks awesome. But still...

[glowrock]

I agree, Justin10000... Yes, this bridge looks absolutely amazing. At the same time, this extreme wasting of money is just ridiculous. The UAE is so wealthy right now it doesn't know what to do with all of it! What are they going to do next, perhaps instruct their citizenry to wipe their asses with low-denomination currency? :)

Aaron (Glowrock)

[MolsonExport]

http://worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1929_1_01%20FXFOWLE_6th%20Crossing_Night.jpg

Wow! this is one hell of a sexy bridge.

[dimondpark]

Now that's what I call an icon. Beautiful.

[Justin10000]

I agree, Justin10000... Yes, this bridge looks absolutely amazing. At the same time, this extreme wasting of money is just ridiculous. The UAE is so wealthy right now it doesn't know what to do with all of it! What are they going to do next, perhaps instruct their citizenry to wipe their asses with low-denomination currency? :)

Aaron (Glowrock)

Well, they have to get rid of American Currenct somehow!!

:jester:

Sorry couldn't resist!

[pricemazda]

Theme park anyone?

[GO_UAE]

Why is it a waste , any of you actually been to Dubai and seen the traffic problems were having :)

though so ....

[mcfinley]

I'm looking at the google map of Dubai Creek, and I can't figure out where this thing is going to span. Off the island in the middle? Eyeballing it, it doesn't look 1600m across.

[M II A II R II K]

667 meters high? That's really high.

The highest part will almost be as tall as Burj Dubai.

[Justin10000]

Why is it a waste , any of you actually been to Dubai and seen the traffic problems were having :)

though so ....

I am not saying the bridge is a waste. What I am saying, is that Dubai is building these extremely expensive and overly dramatic structures.
I know they have money, but it is getting out of hand.

In my opinion, anyways.

[smussuw]

I'm looking at the google map of Dubai Creek, and I can't figure out where this thing is going to span. Off the island in the middle? Eyeballing it, it doesn't look 1600m across.
http://i32.tinypic.com/bhx85i.jpg

[mcfinley]

thanks smussuw

[Down_Under_the_El]

667 meters high? That's really high.

The highest part will almost be as tall as Burj Dubai.

It's only(lol) 205 meters high.. 667 meters long.

[ColDayMan]

Wow.

[BuildCTPlace]

good for them

[PA Pride]

I like it.

[Dac150]

Very nice design. Futuristic.

[malec]

I am not saying the bridge is a waste. What I am saying, is that Dubai is building these extremely expensive and overly dramatic structures.
I know they have money, but it is getting out of hand.

In my opinion, anyways.
Well, all their current bridges are boring so if there's anything that should be flamboyant it should be this

[vid]

It's not as unnecessary as some crap they're building, and it is a very nice design. :)

[Grumpy]

Sorry I don't like this posh design

[Matty]

It's alright.

I'm really not schocked. "Dubai to build world's largest mass transit system" would shock me quite a bit more.

[malec]

^^ Well they plan to have around 8 metro lines by 2020, not world's largest but not nothing either.

[deasine]

However, they will have the largest automated rapid transit: defeating Vancouver's SkyTrain.

[jmecklenborg]

How deep is the water there? 10 feet? It's not as if the traffic of ocean-going freighters is a factor here. What a total waste. Dubai is on crack.

[deasine]

How deep is the water there?...Dubai is on crack.

Hey, at least they have the money to buy it =P

[BnaBreaker]

Looks great! It's funny though how they built it on the widest part of the lake, probably so they could claim the title of the world's longest arch bridge, when they could've built it no more than a quarter mile east and have it half the size, and cost. Oh well. It's their money, I guess they can do what they want with it. We Americans aren't exactly in any position to give lectures about wastefulness either. lol

[Patrick]

This bridge is pretty lame. I mean the design is way to simple for me to be impressed, and whats even lamer is that they will be blowing land away for this bridge to claim the tital, when it could be a normal bridge over a normal river, or maybe that was man made too?

[Peanut]

I personally love the Design but what i find kinda funny is that they chose to build it on the widest span on the River(creek, i dunno?).

[The Chemist]

This one may be longer, but I bet the Lupu is more impressive, considering how much taller the roadway is above the waterway it's spanning - tall enough to allow ocean going ships to pass underneath.

I made my first trip across the Lupu Bridge today, and it's a beautiful bridge - Shanghai's best, IMO. As others have stated, this bridge in Dubai seems like a phenomenal waste of money, but that seems to be par for the course in Dubai.

[Dac150]

Dubai is like a rich man who has all the money in the World and will never spend it all. This bridge is just another Ferrari in the garage.

[malec]

How deep is the water there? 10 feet? It's not as if the traffic of ocean-going freighters is a factor here. What a total waste. Dubai is on crack.
Huh? I don't get what difference this makes. :koko:

Looks great! It's funny though how they built it on the widest part of the lake, probably so they could claim the title of the world's longest arch bridge, when they could've built it no more than a quarter mile east and have it half the size, and cost. Oh well. It's their money, I guess they can do what they want with it. We Americans aren't exactly in any position to give lectures about wastefulness either. lol
First of all it's not on the widest part. 2ndly there's already stuff in the way that's getting built. What do you expect them to do? Should they tell everyone building stuff this? "Sorry guys but you're going to have stop construction and relocate elsewhere"? Maybe if they planned the bridge earlier it could have been built somewhere else. Also there an island in the middle of the creek and this bridge will reach that as well as the other side instead of two seperate ones.

This bridge is pretty lame. I mean the design is way to simple for me to be impressed, and whats even lamer is that they will be blowing land away for this bridge to claim the tital, when it could be a normal bridge over a normal river, or maybe that was man made too?
Yes let's make everything square and grey. :)
I think they deepened the creek ages ago to allow ships to come in and stuff so you could say it is in fact partially man made.

Dubai is like a rich man who has all the money in the World and will never spend it all. This bridge is just another Ferrari in the garage.
Again huh? I think you should change your statement to this is another Ferrari which will be used every minute of every day. They have a massive traffic problem, that area will eventually be developed and they need to build infrastructure (and not make repeat mistake of not having infrastructure ready). There's also an extention to the metro on this bridge.

[Dac150]

Again huh? I think you should change your statement to this is another Ferrari which will be used every minute of every day. They have a massive traffic problem, that area will eventually be developed and they need to build infrastructure (and not make repeat mistake of not having infrastructure ready). There's also an extention to the metro on this bridge.

I wasn't firing a shot off at the city. I understand their need for this bridge. Just a little anaology.

[Down_Under_the_El]

Is the clamshell shaped thing some sort of outdoor theater?

[smussuw]

^^ yes

[jmecklenborg]

>Huh? I don't get what difference this makes.

Give a bunch of money to a few idiots and this is what you get.

These Dubai threads are all the same. Dubai announces something big and unnecessary, college-aged American dorks who haven't earned anything they have start whining about how terrible America is.

All of the longest bridges in the U.S. were built to fit a distinct need. There are no plans for record-setting bridges anywhere in the U.S. because we bridged all those places *decades* ago, if not 100 years ago. The U.S. has nothing to prove.

The many American suspension bridges that have variously held the title of world's longest have done so because there was a need for that type of construction in that location. A record-breaking bridge that breaks a record unnecessarily can never be a great structure. It's even less when it isn't even designed and built by its own citizens. Sure, immigrants had big hands in the construction of many of America's 19th century's great works of engineering, but then again they came to this country with every expectation of gaining a citizenship status equal to those who were born here.

[smussuw]

:previous: how do those random concerns fit together?

[GO_UAE]

Is he on crack Smussuw? =S

[staff]

All of the longest bridges in the U.S. were built to fit a distinct need. There are no plans for record-setting bridges anywhere in the U.S. because we bridged all those places *decades* ago, if not 100 years ago. The U.S. has nothing to prove.
Haha, that is a bit funny to hear for me as a European, considering that what Dubai is doing right now - the US exactly did a hundred or so years ago (building big and tall for no real purpose, that is).

[brian_b]

There are no plans for record-setting bridges anywhere in the U.S. because we bridged all those places *decades* ago, if not 100 years ago.

The US doesn't do grandiose things anymore because the US is flat broke. Americans are too busy spending borrowed money to notice.

[unusualfire]

The most amazing thing to me about this bridge is how cheap they say it will cost to build it.

[Dac150]

The most amazing thing to me about this bridge is how cheap they say it will cost to build it.

That should tell you something.

[youngregina]

:previous: Just because it is cheap doesn't necessarily mean it is crap, or of lower standards. The only thing that separates north americas construction cost compared to dubai's is that labour costs in the UAE's are a lotcheaper than labour costs here. And it looks to be that the burj is going up quite nicely and without accident or the whole thing falling over ( I'm exaggerating ) But really.

[Dac150]

:previous: Just because it is cheap doesn't necessarily mean it is crap, or of lower standards. The only thing that separates north americas construction cost compared to dubai's is that labour costs in the UAE's are a lotcheaper than labour costs here.

Thank you for telling me something I already know. The point I was going for with my statement was that what Dubai builds is considered by most, gaudy and cheap, so the fact that there is a low price tag for this (gaudy looking) bridge constitutes the thinking that it is nothing more than a pretty face with no back-bone.

In realistic thinking though, I'm sure that whatever this comes down to will be constructed to meet all standards (I would hope).

[staff]

Thank you for telling me something I already know. The point I was going for with my statement was that what Dubai builds is considered by most, gaudy and cheap, so the fact that there is a low price tag for this (gaudy looking) bridge constitutes the thinking that it is nothing more than a pretty face with no back-bone.
If we forget for a moment where Dubai's money and labour come from, I have to say that bridge looks pretty fucking awesome to me. I'd love to know what yo consider to be good bridge designs.

[Dac150]

I'd love to know what yo consider to be good bridge designs.

I won't argue that the bridge is not attractive, because it is to every degree. The design is very different and innovative, and I think it will become an icon in that part of the World, and possibly even further.

I like suspension bridges, that is my prefered concept. This bridge is a little out of the box for my taste, but (even though I consider it to look gaudy), it has its attractive aspects, no doubt.

[Coldrsx]

one of the sexiest bridges i have ever seen...and while i agree it is needed for congestion, i find the execution completely over the top.

...you know, like ESB and Crysler were to America back then.

as much as i might hate a lot of whats going on in dubai right now, it is no different than when chicago or NYC were developing.

[WonderlandPark]

as much as i might hate a lot of whats going on in dubai right now, it is no different than when chicago or NYC were developing.

Yes, it is different, IN THIS CASE. This is far more bridge than is necessary and is different than the Brooklyn or Golden Gate bridges. Those spanned active bodies of water, they dug cassions, and had to build what they did because they were the best engineering solution to the problem. But not in this case. The "water" they are spanning is largely man made, and flooded on "command." There is no reason whatsoever that a bridge like this needs to be built. I would call it dishonest engineering at best. A simple viaduct with multiple piers is the proper way (I hate that word proper, but can't think of another) to build this. Much like the Lake Pontchartrain bridge across a shallow body of water, piers and deck, all they way across. That is what engineering called for and that is what got built. This is the same issue, bridge across shallow water. Instead they are building this crazy thing.

Malaysia did the same thing at Putrajaya. As much as those bridges are cool, that is a man made body of water and it doesn't call for a clear suspended span AT ALL. But, hey, they got money to burn. But don't call it an "honest" engineering solution to crossing the Hudson, San Francisco Bay or Osaka Bay.

[Lecom]

That's one good-looking bridge.

[jmecklenborg]

> how do those random concerns fit together?

Well considering I've never seen anything hinting at a familiarity with scholarly discourse in your postings, it would require an awful lot of hand-holding and widget-stamping and toilet cleaning to bring you up to speed.

With it just announced today that an estimated 100 million immigrants will come to the United States by 2050, it begs how anyone in their right mind could speculate that a city-state that would not currently break the top 20 American MSA's in population or GDP could somehow challenge the United States for supremacy now or in the future in any way whatsoever.


>Haha, that is a bit funny to hear for me as a European, considering that what Dubai is doing right now - the US exactly did a hundred or so years ago (building big and tall for no real purpose, that is).

And what was Europe doing 90 years ago instead of building skyscrapers? Oh yeah, killing each other in the most destructive war up until that point.

[VivaLFuego]

Dubai plans to build the world's longest

And that's when I stopped reading.

[GO_UAE]

in that part of the World, and possibly even further.

pfffft :rolleyes:

[GO_UAE]

And that's when I stopped reading.

i think it was 99 - 2000 when they first started announcing projects in Dubai , i could keep track of them , enjoy them and take it all in ... now im so over whelmed i dont even bother anymore ... its too much to keep track of i simply visit the city every now and then to see it for myself , and even then i only get to see 20% of it only with all the traffic

[smussuw]

The most amazing thing to me about this bridge is how cheap they say it will cost to build it. $816 million is cheap?

[unusualfire]

Yes it is. There is a bridge In Cincinnati that will cost 3-4 billion to complete. And it's not near as long as this one.

[Coldrsx]

^labour and material.

[Dac150]

pfffft :rolleyes:

And this means what exactly?

[smussuw]

:previous: pfffft

[Calrissian]

Awe, and wonder aside.

AM I the only one who is getting tired of hearing about Dubai, and how they are wasting the world's resources on grandoiose projects like this? It looks awesome. But still...

Well, it makes change from seeing Governments (especially the USA) spend their taxpayers money on weapons to kill people.
-

A nice bridge, that helps people get from one side to the other. Or would you rather see a couple dozen tanks in the sand ? (serious question).

Personally, thats one of the best damn bridge designs I've ever seen, its awesome, and indeed, it will dominate the skyline for decades to come.

I salute the vision of the UAE leadership.

Maybe I'll end with this though...

Standby to chant...

Bridges not tanks ! Bridges not tanks ! Bridges not tanks ! :haha:

[Ducov]

It's a lovely bridge alright, no doubt about that.

But it's so over engineered. I would find the intricate planning involved in a combined project the sensibly coordinated the waterway and related structures (bridges or otherwise) more impressive. They've essentially dug a large whole then built a large bridge to cross it.

Every month Dubai announces some new 'biggest something in the world,' a few feet longer than the current largest, or a few taller, deeper, wider... blah blah blah...

Someone mentioned record braking overload... which pretty much sums it up, I was really thrilled to see the Burj Dubai take shape, but now I don't really care about all the other 100 storey plus building going up in the city, whereas anywhere else I would.


No one likes a show off....:rolleyes:

[SnyderBock]

On the island between the two spans... What's that highway spur that goes out into the water and just stops? That doesn't make since. Are they going to extend that across to the mainland as well?

[Nutterbug]

It's a lovely bridge alright, no doubt about that.

But it's so over engineered. I would find the intricate planning involved in a combined project the sensibly coordinated the waterway and related structures (bridges or otherwise) more impressive. They've essentially dug a large whole then built a large bridge to cross it.

Every month Dubai announces some new 'biggest something in the world,' a few feet longer than the current largest, or a few taller, deeper, wider... blah blah blah...

Someone mentioned record braking overload... which pretty much sums it up, I was really thrilled to see the Burj Dubai take shape, but now I don't really care about all the other 100 storey plus building going up in the city, whereas anywhere else I would.


No one likes a show off....:rolleyes:

It's the city equivalent of the small penised man driving around in an expensive sports car.

[Austin55]

Theme park anyone?

Thats Exactly what I thought. Stick a roller coaster on theat arch,And use the rest as a Swingset thing,:tup:

To beat a dead horse,Gorgous Waste of Money and resources.The desighn,while is stunning,is WAAAAY to plian,and get boring quick. im already startig to not like it as much. All for bragging right. Will anyone even use it? Itll probably take more to build it than drive across it.

[Capt AWACS]

I am not saying the bridge is a waste. What I am saying, is that Dubai is building these extremely expensive and overly dramatic structures.
I know they have money, but it is getting out of hand.

In my opinion, anyways.

Do you feel the same about Las Vegas?

Good for Dubai. I have had good experiances each time there and worked with their Government before. Fairly level headed, though yes a bit egotistical.

the UAE knows the Oil is running out (could be in less than ten years). This investment is for their future post oil boom. Good for them. Enshallah.

Ciao, and Salaam,
AWACS

[GioFX]

the UAE knows the Oil is running out (could be in less than ten years). This investment is for their future post oil boom. Good for them. Enshallah.

Well, the Dubai Emirate alreay depends on less than 6% on Oil, the rest of revenues being from trade, financial services and toursim.

So yes... good for them!

[GO_UAE]

Ive read an article that mentiond if AbuDhabi increases its oil production per day , it will still have enough reserves to last 150 years ... just google , AbuDhabi 150 years oil or something and you will get a whole load of articles from good reliable sources.

[Capt AWACS]

Ive read an article that mentiond if AbuDhabi increases its oil production per day , it will still have enough reserves to last 150 years ... just google , AbuDhabi 150 years oil or something and you will get a whole load of articles from good reliable sources.

INteresting as your own government minister gave a speech stating otherwise (though Qatar could lose more oil in less time) and oil companies are investing in other areas.

Ciao,
AWACS

[GO_UAE]

Doubt those newspapers in western countries would also spread propoganda unless they benefit one way or the way, nothing can be ruled out nowadays.

http://www.government.ae/gov/en/biz/industry/oil.jsp

[AltinD]

... Give a bunch of money to a few idiots and this is what you get.

Those few idiots, happens to be Americans ... just like you. :jester: :whip:

[jmecklenborg]

Guess where air conditioning was invented? The device on which you are reading this post? The very electricity that courses through it?

Characteristic of any sophisticated society are cultural avenues by which individuals can alternately celebrate and criticize that culture. What do those precious few citizens Dubai write about, dance about, sing about? Or do they just buy stuff and order around foreign servants?


>Do you feel the same about Las Vegas?

Las Vegas occupies a peculiar counterpoint to the rest of a country of 300 million, it is certainly not the city which defines the U.S. Dubai is a city-state and that's that.

And let it be known that the U.S. produces more than twice as much oil domestically as Dubai (roughly 5 billion barrels/day versus 2 billion/day) and the majority of its imported oil is from Canada and Mexico. Only 12% of its oil is imported from the Middle East, and only a fraction of that from Dubai, if any. That means the majority of Dubai's oil wealth came from Europe, Asia, Africa, and other closer markets.

[StethJeff]

It's the city equivalent of the small penised man driving around in an expensive sports car.

Except that the UAE penis is so small that it requires the 15 most expensive sports cars . . and an escalade.

[GO_UAE]

Arabs are well Endowed (is that the word ?) PM me and ill send you Proof

[smussuw]

satisfying :notacrook:

[Daquan13]

Boy!

When they plan to build something, they certainly don't build small!

They like to build MONSTERS!! The WTB's and the WLB's!

[AltinD]

Guess where air conditioning was invented? The device on which you are reading this post? The very electricity that courses through it?

Characteristic of any sophisticated society are cultural avenues by which individuals can alternately celebrate and criticize that culture. What do those precious few citizens Dubai write about, dance about, sing about? Or do they just buy stuff and order around foreign servants?


>Do you feel the same about Las Vegas?

Las Vegas occupies a peculiar counterpoint to the rest of a country of 300 million, it is certainly not the city which defines the U.S. Dubai is a city-state and that's that.

And let it be known that the U.S. produces more than twice as much oil domestically as Dubai (roughly 5 billion barrels/day versus 2 billion/day) and the majority of its imported oil is from Canada and Mexico. Only 12% of its oil is imported from the Middle East, and only a fraction of that from Dubai, if any. That means the majority of Dubai's oil wealth came from Europe, Asia, Africa, and other closer markets.

What a bunch of CRY BABIES. :jester:

[Arunava]

Who has the small-penis syndrome? The one driving the expensive sports car or the one complaining about the one driving the expensive sports car?

[sammysonny1]

Dubai will never be New York City

[Lexy]

I have one question as it relates to the topic. Does every "Largest in the world" have to be built in Dubai? Just a simple question that's all.

[Austin55]

C'mon guys. your making fools of yourselfs.Youre trying to make Dubai look bad and end up looking bad yourself,along with everyone else. cant we discuss tis bridge instead of well...random needless stuff?

So,it looks like two bridges,but are they counting it as one length?