A steel arch bridge in Shamal, Ras Al Khaimah, has set a Guinness World Record as the world's longest steel bridge spanning a length of 32.37 m. The record was previously held by Poland's 26-m-long bridge.

The bridge, which can handle 2,000 vehicles per hour, is said to offer several other economic advantages compared to concrete bridges, including a life expectancy of up to 104 years without any maintenance and the ability to bear all loads and weights.

The arched steel structures are corrugated iron sheets that were designed to conform with the project requirements. The sheets were then manufactured, coated and plated in the factory. The plates and accessories were transported in containers.

Abdullah bin Mohammed Balheif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, received a certificate from the representative of the Guinness World Records during the ceremony organised by the ministry at the bridge site.

The steel bridge project is part of Phase Two of the Emirates Road and is an embodiment of the innovative thinking of the ministry to promote the development of its future projects, remarked Al Nuaimi.

Al Nuaimi then dedicated this achievement to UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and other rulers of the emirates.

The ministry had a great impact on the country's achievements in the way to be among the best, globally, by 2021, to achieve the UAE cent 2071, he added.

Al Nuaimi stressed that the ministry is keen to complete the infrastructure projects in an innovative way to serve the sustainability of projects and their compliance with the environmental standards of  the strategy and direction of the UAE leadership.

This is a new achievement added to the series of successes achieved by the country in general and the ministry in particular, he added.-TradeArabia News Service