Dubai has opened two new pedestrian bridges, designed to ease traffic flow and make road crossings safer.
The crossings, on Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Mina Street, are part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project.
Each include lifts, staircases and safety systems so that pedestrians can cross busy junctions.
The Sheikh Rashid Street bridge measures 91 metres and Al Mina Street bridge is 109 metres.
Dubai is investing heavily in infrastructure to keep pace with rapid urban expansion and its goal of increasing the population to 5.8 million by 2040.
Another six pedestrian and cyclist bridges are under construction by the RTA, with five set to open by the end of the year and the sixth early 2027. The RTA is also building 23 more bridges by the end of 2030.
Matter Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, said the project aims to “transform Dubai into a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city”.
“The pedestrian bridges already in place, together with those planned, form a network linking residential areas across Dubai with key attractions, thereby encouraging residents to adopt sustainable individual mobility means for the first and last-mile journeys,” he said on Sunday.
The planned ones include links between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road that will connect Al Sufouh and Dubai Hills through Dubai Internet City, Al Barsha Heights and Al Barsha 3.
A sixth bridge will be on the Al Sukook Street in the central business district, which spans Dubai International Financial District, Business Bay and Downtown.
The number of pedestrian bridges and underpasses grew from 26 in 2006 to 177 by the end of last year.
Once the six bridges have been completed, the total number will cross 200.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
