Al Maktoum Bridge

Al Maktoum Bridge is the first permanent bridge constructed over Dubai Creek in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and one of the city’s most significant infrastructural landmarks.

It was inaugurated on May 23, 1963, by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai at the time. Before the bridge was built, crossing Dubai Creek involved relying on traditional abras (water taxis) or taking a lengthy detour around the waterway.

The bridge connected the important commercial and residential areas of Bur Dubai and Deira, significantly improving transport, trade, and access between the two sides of the creek.

Originally built as a single-lane bridge, it quickly became a vital roadway for commercial goods moving from Dubai’s Customs Wharves on the Bur Dubai side to the dhow wharves and markets in Deira. Between 1969 and 1970, a swing mechanism was added to the bridge to allow larger vessels to pass through, accommodating Dubai Creek’s role as a busy waterway.

The bridge was initially funded through vehicle tolls charged only for trips from Deira to Bur Dubai, which were removed after full repayment in 1973. Over the decades, the Al Maktoum Bridge underwent widening and upgrades, including a major expansion completed in 2007, which increased its capacity to six lanes and added a pedestrian walkway.

Today, Al Maktoum Bridge carries up to 22,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and remains a key crossing point over Dubai Creek alongside newer bridges and tunnels. It also forms part of the Salik toll road system, reintroducing tolls on both sides since 2008 to manage traffic flow.

The bridge features a hydraulic lift span for maritime traffic and is maintained regularly to ensure operational efficiency. Besides its functional role, the bridge symbolizes Dubai’s evolution from a small trading port into a global city, bridging not only the physical divide across the creek but also connecting the city’s historic heritage with its forward-looking development.