Dubai introduced the “Infinity Bridge” for the first time to the public in 2022, adding to its list of remarkable architectural designs. The bridge is composed of six highways and serves to improve the connection between the Deira region and Bur Dubai. Additionally, the bridge has a 3-metre combined track for both pedestrians and cyclists adding to its charm.

With so many unique activities to do and unending places to visit in Dubai, once you have made your way across the city, anybody who knows would agree that there is no shortage of tourist locations to visit. However, if you are looking for the best places to explore some of Dubai’s most recent and spectacular structures, you will want to check out the newly introduced Infinity Bridge.

The Infinity Bridge is an impressive installation to be the newest addition to Dubai’s list of beautiful structures spanning 300 meters in length and 22 meters in width that functions as a bridge connecting the Bur Dubai area with the Deira district. The bridge is equipped with multiple routes for vehicles, as well as a three-meter width bike and pedestrian track. The Infinity Bridge should probably be your next must-visit destination if you plan to travel to Dubai this year. To better understand this remarkable installation, here is an overview of its historical background.

The Original- Before Dubai’s Infinity Bridge

Image Credit- Paul Kent

Even before the Infinity Bridge of Dubai was ever going to be built, one more Infinity Bridge already existed in the north of England. The Infinity Bridge in England had been around since the end of the last decade, officially revealed to the public in the year 2009, and it is located on the other side of the Tees River. England’s Infinity Bridge is built in the Stockton-on-Tees region of England, and it operates as a link between the Queen Campus of The University of Durham and a business park called Teesdale Business Park.

The inaugural opening of England’s Infinity Bridge took place on the 14th of May, 2009. The event was marked by a spectacular public presentation of a combination of music, fireworks, and animation performances, in addition to the presence of parkour-style free runners who entertained spectators by climbing the bridge’s arches while grasping flares in their hands.

The Modern Infinity Bridge In Dubai

Image Credit-HH-Sheikh-Mohammad

In the year 2018, Dubai’s Infinity Bridge was unveiled as a significant segment of the 5.3 Billion AED budget Al Shindagha Corridor Project, which is intended to serve the development of Dubai Seafront and Port Rashid, as well as the Deira Islands and the Dubai Maritime City. Apart from Dubai’s Infinity Bridge, the Al Shindagha Corridor Project also included administering several other projects and buildings in the vicinity of the Al Shindagha Tunnel. The whole length of the bridge covers an area of approximately 13 kilometres, connecting the Infinity Bridge to Al Khaleej Road, Cairo Road, and Sheikh Rashid Road.

With its 22 metres broad and 300 metres long structure, Dubai’s Infinity Bridge is reportedly expected to accommodate a maximum of 24,000 motor vehicles every hour. The Dubai Infinity Bridge was initially scheduled to complete its construction by 2027, however, the general public began to get the accessibility to the bridge in 2022. To facilitate the operation of Dubai’s Infinity Bridge, two bypass or ring roads have been established near the structure.

The first of these bypass roads is an elongation of the Dubai Infinity Bridge, connecting Sheikh Rashid Street with Al Mina Street and Cairo Street, as well as Al Ittihad street. On the other hand, the second bypass route is an interior road, which also extends from Sheik Rashid Street, though it terminates at Umm Hurair Street.

The Dubai Infinity Bridge does not display the infinity symbol in the same way as the one in England, which is designed to reflect on seawater. Instead, Dubai’s Infinity Bridge consists of two hooks, which are conjoined at the apex of the overpass, and when viewed from the top or with an aerial perspective, the infinity symbol is created by the connected arches. Not only does the infinity bridge character it, but it also metaphorically symbolizes Dubai City’s boundless potential for development and progress.

Due to its immense size, the assignment to build the Infinity Bridge was divided into 5 stages. The construction of the bridge officially began in 2016. As of early 2022, the completion speed of the bridge had reached 85%, and eventually, the Infinity Bridge was completed, the city expected to serve more than 1 million people who were holidaying or staying in the Deira Islands and Dubai Maritime City, as well as Port Rashid and Dubai Seafront. According to the Dubai authorities, post the completion and introduction of the Infinity Bridge, it expects to reduce the time of travelling from approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 16 minutes by 2030.

Reason Behind The Name – “Infinity”

‘Infinity Bridge’ is named after the two arches of the bridge, which are joined together by a conjunction piece. The reflex piece maintains the two angles of the bridge together, making the archway appear as one endless curve. When the archway reflects the water on the river, the all-around form of the bridge resembles an infinity bridge symbol. The team of Engineers and Spence Associates designed the structure of the Infinity Bridge. This team of architects are most acclaimed for winning the architectural design competition, RIBA Competition, in 2003 for a footbridge proposed by WYG, also known as the White Young Green Limited.

The infinity-shaped bridge symbol created by the hooks is further beautifully highlighted over the city during the nighttime due to the lighting of the bridge, which was devised by the lighting design company, Speirs Major Light Architecture, who are also renowned for their excellent lighting design work of Dubai’s Burj Al Arab Luxury Hotel. When nighttime falls, the bridge’s handrail and footpaths are illuminated by specifically customized white and blue LED lights, which are equipped with sensors that switch between white and blue colours. Additionally, the steel cord connections that support the arches of the bridge are also equipped with LED lights, which increase the visibility of the archway’s reflection on the river.

Al Shindagha Corridor Project

It is reported that the Al Shindagha Corridor Project will also significantly enhance a number of structures along Al Khaleej Street and other locations adjacent to the Infinity Bridge, with the stage of this assignment expected to be accomplished by the year 2025. Additionally, the project will also consist of the construction of 1.5 km bridges leading to the Southern part of the Deira Islands, with the particular project phase expected to be concluded by 2027, the year in which the Infinity Bridge’s construction was initially expected to be completed in its entirety.

Conclusion

As Dubai City continues to expand on the subject of economic growth and population, the management and architects in the city are expected to construct more innovative facilities that enable their citizens to drive across the city more efficiently and expediently. Therefore, post the introduction of Dubai’s Infinity Bridge last year in 2022, one can anticipate that there will be more new structures in Dubai that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

It is a fact that Dubai is already on its way to becoming the ultimate tourist attraction globally at the moment, and with all the upcoming projects to develop the city further, it wouldn’t take much longer for Dubai to achieve the most popular tourist attractions internationally. Therefore, although the number of tourists visiting the city has not yet increased significantly, it is recommended that you visit the city and explore the jaw-dropping infrastructures of Dubai, such as the Infinity Bridge, and other captivating landmarks.

Image Credits- New Civil Engineer