1,425 Meters Over the Creek
The RTA’s award of the AED 786 million contract to construct bridges connecting Dubai Islands to Bur Dubai is a critical infrastructure link. It is not just a road; it is a lifeline connecting the historic heart of the city to its new northern expansion.
- Length: 1,425 meters.
- Capacity: 16,000 vehicles per hour.
- Lanes: 4 lanes in each direction.
- Environment: 100% Marine / Saline.
This project is taking place in one of the most aggressive corrosion environments on earth: the hot, salty, humid air of the Dubai Creek entrance.
The Invisible Enemy in the Air
Everyone focuses on the piles driven into the seabed. But for the general contractor, the risk is also on the deck.
During the 2-year construction phase, the site will be surrounded by temporary concrete barriers, hoarding blocks, and walkway slabs. In a standard city environment, you can use “Grade B” concrete for these items.
On this bridge, “Grade B” is a disaster.
The salt spray from the creek will attack every piece of concrete on that site. If your temporary Jersey Barriers start spalling (cracking due to rust expansion) within 6 months, you have two problems:
- Safety: The structural integrity of the barrier is compromised. A truck impact could shatter it.
- FOD (Foreign Object Debris): Chunks of concrete falling into the creek or onto barges below is a major environmental and safety violation.
We argue that for marine bridges, there is no such thing as “temporary” concrete. Everything must be cast with Sulphate Resisting Cement (SRC) and possibly corrosion-inhibiting admixtures.
Marine Grade vs. Standard
The cost difference between standard and marine-grade precast is negligible compared to the cost of failure.
| Feature | Standard Precast | Our Marine Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Cement Type | OPC (Ordinary Portland) | SRC (Sulphate Resisting) |
| Steel Cover | 20-30mm | 50mm+ |
| Permeability | Standard | Low (Waterproofed) |
| Lifespan (Marine) | 1-2 Years | 20+ Years |
The Logistics of Over-Water Construction
Building a bridge is a linear process. You have one entry and one exit. Logistics flow is critical.
If a delivery truck breaks down on the temporary trestle bridge, the entire site stops. If a barrier cracks and needs replacement, you have to crane it out over the water—a high-risk, high-cost operation.
Reliability is the currency here. You need products that you place once and forget until the job is done. Our F-Type Barriers are the industry standard for bridge works because their profile is designed to deflect vehicle wheels, protecting the barrier itself and the vehicle. But more importantly, our manufacturing process ensures they are tanks. We vibrate our molds to remove air pockets, creating a dense, impenetrable concrete matrix that salt cannot penetrate.
The Pedestrian & Cycling Component
This project isn’t just for cars. It includes a dedicated cycling and pedestrian path.
This adds a new layer of complexity: Public Safety Interface.
During construction, you may have phases where the public is routed near the work zone. You cannot use rough, industrial barriers here. You need Interlocking Paving Slabs that provide a trip-free surface and barriers with smooth finishes that won’t snag clothing or injure pedestrians who brush against them.
We finish our products. We chamfer the edges. We don’t send out rough castings. In a high-visibility project connecting to the tourist hub of Dubai Islands, aesthetics matters even during construction.
The Supply Chain Anchor
Contractors on marine projects often face a dilemma: their primary batching plant is for the bridge structure, not for the “small stuff” like barriers and blocks.
Diverting your high-spec bridge concrete to cast a few barriers is a waste of resources and disrupts the critical path. It is far more efficient to outsource the precast accessories to a dedicated specialist who can match your spec without eating into your batching plant’s capacity.
We act as the external arm of your batching plant. You give us the mix design; we give you the product.
Rust Never Sleeps
The salt air is already eating away at the steel on your site. The environment doesn’t negotiate.
When the consultant inspects your safety barriers six months from now, will they see rust stains and cracks, or a solid grey line that looks as good as the day it was delivered?
