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Limitless set to build $11 billion Arabian Canal

DUBAI — Limitless will manage the design and construction of the Arabian Canal, claimed to be the largest and most complex civil engineering project ever undertaken in the Middle East, it was disclosed yesterday.

The $11 billion project involves creating a 75 kilometre man-made waterway, which will flow inland from Dubai Waterfront, passing to the east of the new Dubai World Central International Airport before turning back towards Palm Jumeirah. Up to 150 metres wide and six metres deep, it will be able to accommodate up to 40 metres long boats. The project will take around three years to complete, with work due to start in December this year, said a Press statement.

The project will be on show at Cityscape Dubai next week.

Saeed Ahmed Saeed, chief executive officer of Limitless, said: "Arabian Canal draws on our key strengths of innovative engineering and master planning distinctive developments. It will involve digging and moving more than a million cubic metres of earth — enough to fill 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools — every day. Arabian Canal will be one of the wonders of the engineering world.

"The project will create life in the desert. It will be a globally-recognised landmark destination for UAE residents and visitors, with public spaces for leisure and community events as well as a number of mixed-use developments," he added.

Limitless will also master plan its biggest mixed-use development yet as part of the Arabian Canal project. The $50 billion waterfront development will span 20,000 hectares and stretch 33 kilometres along the inland section of the waterway, east of the new international airport.

The project is designed to be a focal point for Dubai's cultural attractions and community events. It will include marinas, residential communities and business centres serving over a million people, the Press statement said.

Saeed Ahmed Saeed said: "The master plan for our canal side development bears all the hallmarks of a classic Limitless project. Balanced, sustainable and planned around people, it includes green, open spaces and distinctive residential, commercial, retail and recreational components."

Work on the Limitless development is expected to start towards the end of 2008 and will be completed in phases over a 15 year period.