Exit ramps off the 12-lane Ras Al Khor Bridge will directly access the 1,600-acre development's office, residential, retail, hospitality and entertainment areas. Similarly, filter lanes out of Dubai Festival City will provide access back onto the bridge.

'This project adds a whole new dynamic to Dubai Festival City as well as to the emirate itself,' said Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of the Al Futtaim Group, developers of Dubai Festival City. 'For tourism and commerce, the new bridge will be one of the most significant of recent additions to Dubai's superb road network.

'Aside from the anticipated exponential increases in vehicles crossing the Creek, there will be additional traffic generated by the new terminal at Dubai International Airport and by Dubai Festival City residents and visitors.

'Ease of vehicular access will be imperative to Dubai Festival City's businesses and residents and Dubai Municipality has shown tremendous foresight in planning direct access off the Ras Al Khor Bridge into the development.'

Construction of the Ras Al Khor Bridge, 1.5km east of Al Garhoud Bridge, is now underway with completion due for the end of 2006. The bridge is part of one of the largest civil engineering projects in Dubai, dubbed the Ras Al Khor Project, and will involve a 15km corridor through to the first interchange of Sheikh Zayed Road.