Skywalking with Union Properties and Marriott Executive Apartments

Measuring 73 meters in length, not only is the Skywalk Bridge the longest recorded between two buildings, it outstrips current record holder the Petronas Towers bridge in Kuala Lumpur by some 19 meters and the Tower Bridge in London by 12 meters. If you were to stand the bridge up next to the MEA it would be 1 meter higher than the buildings themselves.

To put its weight in to perspective, totaling 240 tons the Skywalk Bridge is the equivalent of just under 140 Ferrari 575M Maranello's stacked on top of each other, or 960,000 soft drink cans. Added to this 18,670kg of cladding is required for the length of the bridge.

Mr. Simon Azzam, Chief Executive Officer of Union Properties, said: "The magnitude of the Skywalk Bridge is immense, all you need to do is look at the figures to realize the complexity of building this bridge. We like to think we bring innovative designs and projects to the UAE and this is no exception, it's a world record after all. The 37 companies that have work on the bridge at varying stages have worked harmoniously and ensured that the end product is fitting with the Dubai skyline and our own objectives. This really will make the Marriott Executive Apartments a landmark in the UAE."

Even the transportation of the bridge from Jebel Ali to the MEA took meticulous precision moving along a pre-negotiated route and escorted by the police. The bridge was transported on a bespoke lorry, over 36 meters in length, weighing 81 tons, a turning circle of 30 meters and an average speed of 3 to 4 mph. At a predestined location in Al Quoz the bridge section was jacked up to transfer on to a second lorry, a Goldhoffer transporter. With the ability to lower and raise it's own height, thus not requiring a crane to transfer the bridge from the first lorry, coupled with its maneuverability and greater speed of 10 mph, this 80-wheel transporter was essential when entering Dubai.

Mr Anton Najjar, Vice President Middle East and Africa for Marriott International Inc, said "The Skywalk Bridge will provide our residents with the means of connecting the buildings to take advantage of the facilities, including the Skywalk Café, rooftop swimming pool and fully equipped gym, sauna, steam room and whirlpool, as well as enjoying overlooking the skyline of Dubai. Union Properties really are building 'quality with a difference' with this bridge and the Marriott Hotels are privileged to be associated with them. It has been a vast project that will undoubtedly result in a prominent landmark for Dubai."

As part of the building process, a scale model of the Skywalk Bridge was tested in a wind tunnel by DMI (Danish Maritime Institute) in Denmark. Due to the complexity of completed structure and the varying winds that could impact on the MEA and the bridge, rigorous and lengthy tests were implemented to test fatigue and it's aerodynamic behavior. The dampers and cantilever mechanism at the connection points at either end ensure the bridge withstands varying winds.