The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has denied there are any problems with the Floating Bridge despite a sudden closure of the crossing to traffic for more than two hours yesterday.

Motorists trying to get on the bridge yesterday morning were diverted to other routes by traffic police as the bridge was closed off from both sides. Worried motorists stranded by the closure described seeing a part of the bridge dipping inwards towards the water.

“We saw that one section of the bridge towards the Deira side was dipping towards the water. There were police, an ambulance and even helicopters and it looked as if there was some problem on the bridge,” said an eyewitness from a nearby golf course.

Others also said the railings holding the bridge pulled away from its support due to a “vertical split” of the road.However, the RTA said that the bridge was closed only “to conduct technical experiments during peak hour to ensure that the emergency system works effectively”.



“There was no problem or malfunction on the bridge. After the conduction of the technical experiment we noticed some minor issues, which were immediately tackled to reflect the RTA’s commitment to surpass all types of difficulties that could hamper the traffic smoothness,” said Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads section at the RTA.

The floating bridge was inaugurated just ten days ago and is described as the longest floating bridge of its kind in the world. The bridge is used by motorists as an alternative to cross the Creek for those wishing to avoid the road tolls on Garhoud Bridge.

The bridge was built in 300 days and has a capacity of 6,000 vehicles per hour. Badr Al Siri, Director of the Traffic Department at the RTA, said: “Of course it is safe. I drive over it everyday. People should not be worried by unnecessary rumours.”