Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) has confirmed that it will install lifts on several pedestrian bridges in the capital in the next three months in a bid to encourage pedestrians to cross streets safely. In the first stage of the project, lifts will be installed on three bridges in the Tourist Club area ? outside Abu Dhabi Mall, Le Meridien and the Khalifa Complex building on street number 10. The bridges are part of the ongoing construction work on Al Salam Street, a major transport artery that stretches to the Eastern Ring Road.
In the past, many pedestrians had braved crossing busy roads rather than climb stairs to use a footbridge. The stairs had also been a barrier to disabled residents or families with young children. "This is aimed at encouraging people to use the bridges for their own safety as well as to help children, the elderly and people with special needs," said Eng Eisa Mubarak al Mazrouie, infrastructure and services co-ordination division manager at Abu Dhabi Municipality.
"This initiative falls within ADM's strategy to reduce road accidents and enhance the standards of pedestrian security and safety. The installation of elevators is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year." The Al Salam Street project includes construction of a new motorway with a series of tunnels, surface roadways and junctions that will run along Al Salam Street leading to Mina Road. ADM says the new road network will ease traffic and significantly reduce travel time. mchung@thenational.ae