Tuesday, Oct 11, 2016

Dubai: Water has been released into Business Bay ahead of the Dubai Canal project completion and workers have begun installing a big pedestrian bridge near Al Safa bridge on Tuesday.

The flow of water into the Business Bay is an indication that work on Dubai Canal is nearing completion. The work is in the final stages now, with the canal expected to open next month.

Among the several things coming up along the canal is a huge arch being built between the bridges of Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road, arousing the curiosity of passers-by on Tuesday.

A portion of the gigantic arch is already installed and workers are now busy fixing the remaining parts. Speculation was rife on Tuesday as to what the structure may be and some motorists passing by Al Safa bridge suggested it could be a giant installation towering over the canal. On Tuesday, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) declined to reveal any information about the mysterious object but a source said that the installation is part of a pedestrian bridge.

Once finished, the canal will have five pedestrian bridges at different locations along the 3.2 kilometre stretch, including a bridge lined with kiosks and stalls on either side.

Work on the bridges is currently under way, with one of the crossings connecting the Al Safa Park side with the Al Wasl area ready, while another crossing near the Jumeirah flyover is under construction. Bridges are being built at a height that will allow luxury yachts and other boats to pass underneath. Excavation as well as work on building the concrete banks along the canal have been completed.

According to RTA, 3.2 million cubic metres of soil were dredged for the canal and 300 tonnes of concrete blocks are being used to fortify the banks.

With work moving along at a frenetic pace, the Dubai Creek water has now reached all the way to the edge of Business Bay, which will eventually flow into the canal.

According to RTA, marine transit modes are expected to lift more than six million passengers annually around the canal and man-made islands off the coast in the next couple of years.

Once the canal is ready, Bur Dubai, Zabeel, Al Karama, Oud Metha and Al Satwa will be part of an island ringed by the Dubai Creek, Business Bay, Dubai Canal and the Arabian Gulf flowing into each other.

Dubai Creek, which begins at Al Shindagha in Bur Dubai, originally spanned 14 kilometres, culminating at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. However, the Creek has now been extended all the way to the intersection of Al Khail Road and Financial Centre Street, where Business Bay begins.

The combined waterway will stretch for 27 kilometres. Parts of Jumeirah and Al Safa areas, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Al Jaddaf and Oud Metha will also be part of the massive island.

Following the completion of the entire project, the Dubai Creek, along with the stretch of canals, will have 18 marine stations, which will allow people to travel freely along the waterway from Deira and Bur Dubai to Jumeirah. Five of these stations are being built along the canal, while seven more will be at Business Bay.

Work on the Dh2 billion project began in October 2013, and has progressed through several landmark stages, with the completion of a 16-lane flyover on Shaikh Zayed Road along with construction of a multi-tier intersection on Al Wasl Road as well as two smaller flyovers on Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads. Cutting across Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road, the canal’s width ranges from 80 to 120 metres and will be up to 6 metres deep.

Adding six kilometres to Dubai’s waterfront, the canal will be at the centre of new leisure and entertainment destination.

The canal will culminate at an artificial crescent-shaped island along Jumeirah Park, which is also currently under construction.

By Shafaat Shahbandari Staff Reporter

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