Work to start on floating pontoons in Creek

According to Mr Khalid Al Zahed, the project is part of the civic body’s drive to provide a safer and comfortable passage in the emirate’s water taxis, popularly known as Abras. The project forms part of a series of projects currently being undertaken by the municipality to develop the Dubai Creek given its strategic importance and heritage value.

He said the municipality has already completed designs of the floating pontoons, to be built in the creek at a cost of over Dh15 million. The tender is yet to be finalised, he added.

The project, one of the most important to be carried out in the creek, seeks to provide high quality and safe services to the Abra passengers while, at the same time, to preserve one of the emirate’s heritage symbols.

“This project will greatly enhance the safety of Abra users while they board and alight from the water taxies. The new sense of safety will encourage a larger number of tourists to use it as it offers a wonderful view of the creek and the city alongside it,” Mr Khalid Al Zahed said.

He noted that one of the positive aspects of the project is that it will make it extremely convenient and safe for women and children who use the Abras on a regular basis. According to figures available, more than 15 million people use the Abras annually, which means nearly 40,000 passengers on a daily bases. This figure reaches up to 60,000 during peak days, particularly on Fridays.

The project includes development of the four existing Abra stations on both sides of the Creek and constructing new stations. The existing four stations are those near Deira Spice Souq, the Al Sabkha, Bur Dubai and Dubai Old Souq. The two new stations would be constructed near Deira Sheraton Hotel and opposite the British Embassy in Bur Dubai.

The municipality has approved construction of the two new stations due to the growing importance of these two areas as well as the need for a large number of people who visit the several government departments and institutions in the area such as Etisalat, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Department of Economic Development, Dubai Lands Department among many others. Besides, the new stations would also offer a solution to the parking problems in these areas.

According to Mr Khalid Al Zahed, the municipality has decided to start the second phase of this project after the successful completion of its first phase, under which floating pontoons were set up in the Bur Dubai Abra Station (near Baroda Bank) on an experimental basis in January 2003. In the second phase of the project, several modifications will be undertaken at the existing Abra stations including landscaping and beautification works and incorporating traditional architectural elements that match the historical importance of each area.

The civic body will weigh various safety options while setting up the floating pontoons. These include a study of the existing access and exit points, passenger flow, traffic movement in the area and its impact on the Abra location. The project also includes modification and renovation of some old structures, landscaping works, special flooring in each station, and providing wooden shelters for passengers, lights and pedestrian subways. The two stations at Al Seef and Bani Yas will be constructed during the second phase of the project.

He said that the works of the project would be completed within 12 months.