Al Maktoum bridge, one of Dubai’s busiest bridges and an important connecting link between major parts of the UAE, was closed for some period to undergo maintenance. The closure, effective from October 27, 2024, was partial from Mondays through Saturdays, and a full closure was mandatory on Sundays.
The bridge was closed between 11am and 5am on Mondays through Saturdays, and for a 24-hour period on Sundays. But there’s great news — The Al Maktoum bridge Dubai is reopening! We know it’s been a difficult few months having to navigate several interconnecting routes to get to your destination, however things will get back to normal once again, and soon too.
Al Maktoum bridge has been a major connection between Bur Dubai and Deira for decades. After more than three months of construction and maintenance work, the bridge is open to traffic all week long again.
Al Maktoum Bridge - A Vital Connection
Bur Dubai — home to the Dubai Garden Glow, Dubai Frame, WAFI Mall, among other attractions — and Deira — home to several museums, the Gold Souk, and the Clocktower — are major tourist destinations in the emirate. With the partial bridge closure, businesses and other activities have been affected, though only slightly because of the RTAs efforts to ensure smooth and convenient access to transportation during this period. But much to the relief of commuters and business owners, Al Maktoum bridge Dubai is reopening.
The Al Maktoum bridge was built in 1963 to allow quick access between Bur Dubai and Deira without using an Abra. Since opening, the bridge has continued to operate and remains one of the oldest bridges in Dubai.
Bridges require continuous maintenance to ensure the safety of road users, and the Al Maktoum bridge is no exception. The Road Transport Authority (RTA) has ensured proper maintenance when necessary to keep up with the high standards required for infrastructures in Dubai.
Al Maktoum Bridge Dubai Reopening - What Happens Now?
The RTA has concluded a bulk of the maintenance work on January 16, 2025. With the bridge reopening, and its expected transition into being fully operational once more, full closures on Sundays are officially a thing of the past.
For commuters who have had to plan their trips or reroute to dodge the traffic, leading to longer travel times, the bridge reopening comes as a big relief.
While this is great news as there will no longer be full closures on Sundays, however there’s a catch. The Al Maktoum bridge timings still include a routine maintenance scheduled for Sundays and Thursdays.
Bridge Timings Today - How to Plan Your Trips
Despite full closures on Sundays being a thing of the past, commuters still have to wait a little while more before the bridge can become operational all day.
The bridge will still be closed for routine maintenance on Sundays and Thursdays from 1am to 4:30am. On the bright side, there’s a significant reduction in closure hours and both early risers and late-night drivers won’t be affected so much.
Although this might still pose a bit of inconvenience to commuters, the RTA’s yearly maintenance efforts are designed to ensure all road users are safe and check if the bridge still can handle thousands of daily users.
The Al Maktoum bridge Dubai reopening promises a much smoother and faster commute for road users traveling between Dubai’s neighborhoods.
Tips for Road Users
As a road user, you can plan your trips and get insights from the RTA app about traffic to ensure a hassle-free experience. For comfortable daily commutes during the closure, you can get a cheap car rental in Dubai from Beno.
Although there’s still partial closure of the Al Maktoum bridge on Sundays and Thursdays for continued maintenance, the reopening is a testament to the RTA’s efforts to make roads safer for the residents of Dubai. Residents are encouraged to exercise a little more patience and check for regular updates, use GPS apps and alternative transportation options or routes until the roads are fully operational again.
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