THE Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has awarded a contract for the design and construction of 13 footbridges at various locations in the city at a cost of Dh45 million ($12.25 million).

The project, expected to be completed within eight months, will raise the number of pedestrian overpasses from 74 to 87 footbridges, including the 34 footbridges of the metro stations (23 on the Red Line and 11 on the Green Line).

Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of RTA, said: “These pedestrian overpasses include constructing a 100-m-long bridge across the Emirates Road and a 86-m-long bridge near the workers accommodation at Al Qusais, as well as several bridges stretching 40 to 75 m.

RTA has also begun construction of two cycling tracks spanning 45 km at Seih Assalam and Al Qudrah areas at a cost of Dh19 million ($5.7 million).

“The project started at the end of last February will take about 120 days to complete,” said Al Tayer.

The RTA has also rolled out initiatives to improve traffic safety, including safety awareness campaigns, providing more than 100 pedestrian crossings and setting up traffic signs near 300 schools, mosques and hospitals.