Historic day: Water flows through Dubai Canal for first time

Dubai - Area including Bur Dubai, Oud Metha, Satwa, Karama and Zabeel now part of a new island.

Water has now been released into the Dubai Canal as part of a testing process. Over the next several weeks, more water will be released throughout the full 3.2-kilometre stretch of canal. The canal is expected to be full in mid-November.
The project is "on track", according to Laila Taher Faridoon, Executive Director at the office of Mattar Al Tayer, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Director General and Chairman of the Board.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Dubai International Projects Management Forum (DIPMF) on Monday at Madinat Jumeirah, Faridoon said that the canal - as is the case with other projects being undertaken in the emirate - is proceeding as planned.
RELATED: Dubai Water Canal all set to make a splash next month
At the moment, work is also underway on a number of pedestrian bridges across the canal near Safa Park and are almost finished, according to RTA officials. The bridge over Shaikh Zayed Road is already open in both directions and bridges over Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road have been completed.
RELATED: Dubai Water Canal all set to open this year: RTA
The Dh2 billion Dubai Water Canal, which from the Business Bay Canal up to the Arabian Gulf via the Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road, was unveiled on October 2, 2013.

Once completed, it will be six metres deep and will be crossed by eight-metre high bridges. Surrounding the Canal are new public places and facilities with a total area of 80,000 square metres with private marinas for boats and a trade centre at the entrance of the project.

There will also be a shopping centre, four hotels, 450 restaurants, luxury housing, walkways and cycle paths. Modern water transport means will serve the water front, resulting in improved quality of water in the Dubai Creek.
 

• Dubai