Diversions on Al Wasl Road from month-end

Road diversions for the planned Water Canal project are nearing completion with work on the second phase expected to begin soon.

Traffic diversions on Al Wasl Road near Safa Park are expected to be fully open from the end of October.

The diversion extends about half a kilometre and maintains the same number of existing lanes.

Maitha bint Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “Works are up and running in the Dubai Water Canal project and progressing according to the timeline set.”

The official noted new diversions will be fitted with required traffic safety means including signals, cautionary lights and concrete barriers.

Work has also started on laying utility line conduits underneath the path of the proposed canal while protecting and diverting existing utility lines underneath the traffic diversion path.

Concurrently with these diversions, construction works will start on the bridge on Al Wasl Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi, once the traffic movement is routed directly through the traffic diversion.

Construction work for Dubai’s ambitious Water Canal project has been divided into three phases. The first phase includes the construction of eight-lane bridges across Shaikh Zayed Road.

Each bridge will rise over eight metres water level, enabling marine navigation in the canal round the clock.

The second phase includes the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on Jumeirah and Al Wasl Roads, comprising three lanes on the Jumeirah Road and two lanes on Al Wasl Road in each direction, in addition to a ramp from Al Wasl Road to Al Hadiqa Road in the direction of Shaikh Zayed Road.

The third phase includes digging a 3.2km-long canal, filling works to create an island on the beach side, constructing a marine wall around the Island to prepare a sand beach, building marina for yachts and the water bus, and constructing three eye-catching footbridges.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com