Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan walk on the Infinity Bridge in Dubai on Thursday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Thursday the launch of the Infinity Bridge in Dubai, which is considered a new world-class engineering, artistic and architectural masterpiece.

His Highness said on his Twitter account, “The Infinity Bridge represents a new world-class engineering, artistic and architectural masterpiece. We opened it today from Dubai. These are our bridges towards the future. Our ambitions are endless.”

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid  on Thursday visited the newly constructed Infinity Bridge accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security.

Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Dubai’s continued commitment to infrastructure development, saying it is one of the vital pillars of the emirate’s comprehensive plan for economic and social advancement. He said the Dubai government places the highest priority on projects that support sustainable development, meet the changing requirements of the community and provide it the highest quality of services.

"The roads and transport sector are critical not only to accelerating economic growth but also enhancing the wellbeing of the community. The rapid development of Dubai’s roads and transport network, with investments exceeding Dhs140 billion over the past fifteen years, reflects our belief in the role a strong infrastructure base plays in enhancing our global competitiveness, creating new growth opportunities, providing a supportive environment for business and ensuring the highest possible quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors to the emirate,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

Infinity Bridge forms a key component of Al Shindagha Corridor Project spanning 13km along Sheikh Rashid Street, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street, which features a total cost of Dhs5.3 billion.

The bridge supports development needs and improves the link between Deira and Bur Dubai by raising the total number of lanes crossing Dubai Creek from 48 to 60.

The bridge can accommodate 24,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and features a combined 3-metre-wide track for pedestrians and cyclists. It will slash travel time from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes by 2030, and the time saved over 20 years will be worth about Dhs45 billion.

Their Highnesses were received at the site of Infinity Bridge by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Mattar Al Tayer also briefed Sheikh Mohammed about the Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Corridor Project, which the new bridge forms part of.

Consisting of six lanes in each direction, the Infinity Bridge has an architectural arch shaped in the form of the infinity symbol. The bridge’s iconic structural design is inspired by the infinity concept, which symbolises Dubai’s unlimited ambitions.