Dubai’s New Pedestrian Bridge: The Heavy Machinery Behind It

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Meraas, officially opened a 110-metre pedestrian bridge connecting the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station directly to Coca-Cola Arena at City Walk. Opened on November 10, 2026, this vital urban link accommodates roughly 10,000 pedestrians per hour.

Designed to streamline crowd movement during sold-out concerts, international sporting events, and City Walk gatherings, the bridge handles an hourly capacity equal to 59% of a single Coca-Cola Arena event crowd. By creating a safe, elevated walkway just steps from the station's Seaside exit, Dubai encourages visitors to choose public transit over private vehicles.

This milestone forms part of the RTA’s ambitious 2026–2030 five-year plan, which includes building 31 pedestrian bridges and tunnels across the emirate. Ultimately, these projects advance the Dubai Traffic Safety Strategy, aiming for zero road fatalities while strengthening urban connectivity.

Why Pedestrian Bridges Are Critical for Modern UAE Infrastructure

High-capacity pedestrian bridges solve two major urban challenges at once: traffic congestion and pedestrian safety. When thousands of concertgoers exit a venue simultaneously, street-level crossings create severe bottlenecks and safety hazards.

By elevating foot traffic above busy arterial roads, cities keep vehicular traffic flowing smoothly while giving residents a direct, climate-conscious route to public transit. In fast-growing hubs like Dubai , integrating metro stations with entertainment districts turns mass transit into the fastest, most convenient travel option.

Essential Heavy Machinery Used in UAE Bridge Construction

Constructing a 110-metre urban walkway or a multi-lane highway overpass requires far more than setting beams across a road. Before the first structural girder is lifted into place, contractors must stabilize deep soils, excavate foundations, clear access routes, and manage heavy material transport.

Drawing from real-world UAE infrastructure projects—including Al Layyah Canal and Bridges in Sharjah—here is the essential fleet behind modern bridge construction:

1. Piling Rigs for Deep Bridge Foundations

Every bridge must transfer massive structural and pedestrian loads safely into the earth. When surface soil cannot support these forces, contractors rely on Piling Rigs to create deep foundation systems.

• Core Function: Drive steel piles, install sheet piles, and drill deep foundation boreholes in challenging urban or coastal soils.
• Real-World Application: Modular machines like the ABI Mobilram TM22 provide unmatched precision for foundation preparation and soil stabilization beneath bridge abutments.

2. Bulldozers for Access Roads and Bridge Approaches

Before cranes and transport trucks can position themselves safely, the ground must be cleared, leveled, and compacted. Securing a bulldozer for rent gives contractors the pushing power needed to build temporary access roads and shape bridge approaches.

• Terrain Shaping: Heavy dozers like the Komatsu D475A and Caterpillar D8 strip topsoil, push bulk aggregate, and grade embankments connecting the bridge deck to surrounding walkways or roads.

• Site Accessibility: Level working pads created by bulldozers ensure heavy cranes remain stable during critical girder lifts.

3. Standard and  Long-Reach Excavators for Site Preparation

Once foundation zones are mapped out, contractors deploy excavators for rent to clear soil, dig pile caps, and shape drainage channels. Tight urban corridors around metro stations require precise digging power without disrupting surrounding utilities.

• Standard Crawler Excavators: Heavy-duty units like the Kobelco SK500 handle mass earthmoving and rocky soil excavation for bridge abutments.

• Long-Reach Configurations: When working across wide canals, deep trenches, or restricted urban perimeters, opting for a long reach excavator for rent extends digging depth and operator safety.
• Proven Fleet Scale: On Sharjah’s Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project, 21 excavators from Kobelco, Caterpillar, and Komatsu excavated approximately 413,000 m³ of rocky soil.

4. Crawler and Mobile Cranes for Heavy Girder Lifting

Installing precast concrete girders and structural steel spans is the most critical lifting phase in bridge building. Selecting the right crane depends on span weight, site footprint, and urban road closures.

• Crawler Cranes: Equipped with wide tracked undercarriages, machines like the Kobelco CKS1350 (135-tonne capacity) distribute heavy loads evenly across prepared platforms.

• High-Capacity Heavy Lifting: Larger infrastructure spans require massive lifting power—such as the 250-tonne and 750-tonne cranes used to hoist precast concrete girders during peak construction at Al Layyah Canal.
• Urban Precision: In dense districts like City Walk, mobile and crawler cranes operate during carefully scheduled night windows to lift steel bridge trusses safely over active roadways.

5. Articulated Dump Trucks and Dumpers for Material Hauling

Excavating thousands of cubic metres of earth creates an immediate logistics challenge: moving material off-site quickly. An articulated dump truck (ADT) or heavy-duty dumper bridges the gap between excavation zones and disposal or stockpiling areas.

Featuring articulated steering and six-wheel drive, machines like the Volvo A40G conquer uneven, sandy, or muddy terrain where standard highway trucks get stuck. As highlighted in our roundup of the top 8 heavy machinery for large earthmoving projects, these high-payload ADTs combine all-terrain mobility with rapid hauling cycles to keep complex civil engineering sites moving

6. Concrete Mixers and Pump Trucks for Bridge Decks

Reinforced concrete forms the backbone of bridge piers, pile caps, and walking decks. Maintaining a continuous, uninterrupted pour is essential to prevent weak structural joints.

• Concrete Mixer Trucks: High-capacity mixers (such as 12 m³ drum units) keep ready-mix concrete homogeneous while traveling from batching plants to busy city sites.
• Concrete Pump Trucks: As detailed in our machinery insights on cement mixing and concrete pump trucks, articulated boom pumps like the CIFA K42L (42-metre reach) deliver concrete cleanly into elevated formwork above active traffic lanes.

Sourcing Bridge Construction Equipment in the UAE with Al Marwan Machinery

Whether building a 110-metre urban pedestrian crossing or a multi-span marine bridge, project timelines depend on reliable machinery and rapid field support. Renting or purchasing from a single trusted partner eliminates fleet downtime and simplifies logistics.

Ready to Power Your Next Infrastructure Project? Planning a bridge, road, or civil engineering project in the UAE or GCC? Contact us today to speak with our equipment specialists, check fleet availability, or request a tailored rental or purchase quote.

About Al Marwan Machinery

Leading heavy machinery provider in the GCC since 1978. Recognized as the GCC Rental Company of the Year for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), Al Marwan is the trusted one-stop shop for construction projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. As an authorized dealer for brands like Kobelco, Powerscreen, Sinoboom, Socma, and CIFA, we offer a comprehensive suite of services covering the entire machinery lifecycle:

• ​​New Heavy Equipment: As an authorized dealer, Al Marwan offers access to the latest models of excavators, crawler cranes, crushers, concrete pumps, and more. All new machinery comes backed by manufacturer warranties.
• Heavy Equipment Rental Fleet: Access one of the largest construction equipment rental fleets in the Middle East. This allows clients to scale operations efficiently, minimizing capital expenditure.
• Used Heavy Equipment: We offer a curated selection of used equipment from global leaders like Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, and Hitachi. Each piece undergoes rigorous inspection and maintenance to guarantee optimal performance and reliability.
• Expert Support & Maintenance: Al Marwan provides comprehensive after-sales support and maintenance services to ensure the long-term performance and reliability of your investments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long is the new Coca-Cola Arena pedestrian bridge in Dubai?

The new pedestrian bridge connecting the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station to Coca-Cola Arena at City Walk is 110 metres long.

How many people can use the Coca-Cola Arena bridge per hour?

The bridge accommodates approximately 10,000 pedestrians per hour, which equals about 59% of the crowd capacity for a single Coca-Cola Arena event.

Why did Dubai build the pedestrian bridge to Coca-Cola Arena?

Developed by Meraas and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the bridge improves pedestrian safety, eases traffic congestion around City Walk, and encourages eventgoers to use the Dubai Metro instead of private cars.

What heavy machinery is most important for urban bridge construction?

Urban bridge construction relies on piling rigs for deep foundations, excavators for site prep, crawler or mobile cranes for lifting heavy steel or concrete spans, articulated dump trucks for hauling excavated soil, and concrete pump trucks for elevated deck pours.

Where can contractors find excavators, cranes, and bulldozers for rent in the UAE?

Contractors can source certified excavators for rent, long reach excavators, bulldozers, piling rigs, and cranes directly through Al Marwan Machinery, complete with OEM spare parts and on-site technical support across the UAE and GCC.