Metro-Ibn Battuta bridge opens

dubai — A walkway that connects Dubai Metro Station with Ibn Battuta Mall was officially opened by Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah on Thursday. The aim is to encourage shoppers who “normally use their cars to switch to public transport.”

The two-storey, 210-metre long walkway gives Dubai Metro and bus users direct access to the mall and its 400 shops, restaurants, attractions and a hotel.

“Now, it will be more convenient for shoppers not to use their cars to come to shop,” Lootah told Khaleej Times. “They can take the Metro and they have direct access to the mall.”

“Shaikh Zayed Road is a very busy road. By taking public transport, we will lessen the cars on the road and ease the traffic — that’s why we invested in this project,” Lootah underlined.

According to a Nakheel spokesperson, The “Mall-Metro” link is the completion of the Dh135m Phase One expansion of Nakheel’s shopping complex, which also includes a 300,000sqft mall extension that opened early this year.

“Today marks a major milestone for Nakheel and its retail development portfolio,” said Lootah. “We continue to enhance and upgrade our existing malls with new facilities and attractions that benefit customers and retailers, while at the same time delivering a new and diverse range of retail and leisure developments.”

angel@khaleejtimes.com