Excitement builds around Dubai Water Canal opening

If you are travelling along Shaikh Zayed Road and spot water cascading from under one of its bridges ( beside the W Hotel, The St. Regis and Westin in Al Habtoor City), then you should know that this is part of the in-progress Dubai Water Canal project. Authorities have started filling up the canal a few days ago and now the testing phase of the waterfall is in progress. It is reportedly said that the scenic waterfall is made up of 80 water pumps, and is sensor based so that it can turn off when boats pass under the bridge.
The 3.2km Dubai Water Canal, being built at a cost of Dh2 billion, runs from the Business Bay up to the Arabian Gulf via the Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl and Jumeirah Road. It will be six metres deep and will be crossed by eight-metre high bridges.
Although parks, hotels, restaurants, luxury housing and facilities - including walkways, cycle paths, private marinas for boats and a trade centre at the entrance of the project - are yet to be built, residents have no doubt that the project will add "another attraction to the vibrant city of Dubai".
WATCH: Dubai water canal comes to life
Unveiled on October 2, 2013, the canal will be lined with retail and restaurants, parks, greenery, and eco-friendly lighting. The canal spans 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.
"When it was announced three years ago, this ambitious undertaking seemed almost impossible and yet today, Shaikh Zayed Road rises 8.5 metres above the ground, water flows through Jumeirah, and Downtown to Bur Dubai is now its own island," Lukman Hajje, group CCO at propertyfinder.com, wrote to Khaleej Times.
"With this project, and others like it, Dubai is demonstrating that it is a city that not only embraces innovation and growth, but that it is also not afraid to drastically alter its landscape in order to rise to the heights of possibility. Where there was once only sand, there is now award-winning architecture, towering skyscrapers, record-breaking feats of engineering and the latest smart technology," he added. Dubai Water Canal is also expected to boost the status of the emirate as a global leisure destination.
Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, said: "We believe the Dubai Canal will play a pivotal role in establishing the UAE as a global leisure marine hub. Projects like Marasi Business Bay, the region's first purpose-built yachting destination, will give yacht owners more room to enjoy their craft in Dubai, and encourage other aspiring yacht owners to follow suit."
"However, ease of access and a user-friendly infrastructure is central to attracting both tourism and investment. This can be achieved by deploying an effective water transport strategy, such as 'hop-on and hop-off' boats, allowing visitors to explore the many lifestyle attractions along the canal while enjoying stunning views of the Dubai skyline," Bamps added.
angel@khaleejtimes.com