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Watch: Shaikh Mohammed inspects Dubai Water Canal project

Dubai - Shaikh Mohammed inspected the excavation works completed and bridges constructed on Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road, and Jumeirah Road.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inspected the progress of work on the Dubai Water Canal linking the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf in a 3-kilometre route passing through the heart of Dubai.

Shaikh Mohammed inspected the excavation works completed so far and bridges constructed on Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road, and Jumeirah Road. The project completion rate has so far reached 61 per cent.

Upon arrival at the project site near Al Safa Park, Shaikh Mohammed was received by Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Mattar Al Tayer; Chairman of Meydan Group Saeed Humaid Al Tayer; and a number of directors and engineers.

At the start of the tour, Shaikh Mohammed was briefed by Al Tayer on the progress of the project which included the completion of the construction of the northern bridge on Shaikh Zayed Road in the direction from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. The bridge, which extends one kilometre, comprises eight lanes. Construction works for the southern bridge in the direction from Dubai to Abu Dhabi will commence in a few days after diverting traffic to the northern bridge in order to make way for the remaining excavation works of the canal underneath the bridges on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Providing further detail on the project works Al Tayer said: "Work on the Dubai Water Canal Project is progressing according to the approved timeline and the completion rate of the project has so far touched 61%, while completion rate of bridges on the Shaikh Zayed Road has topped 70 per cent. Construction works for the project are expected to be completed next August. The completion rate of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads have reached 67 per cent and are expected to be opened by the end of July this year. The completion rate of the excavation works for the canal has reached 52% and drilling works are set for completion by the end of September 2016.

Shaikh Mohammed reviewed designs and models of three pedestrian bridges to be constructed on the Dubai Water Canal, along with the design options for a walkway, running track, patios featuring interactive screens, sitting areas overlooking the Canal, state-of-the-art innovative lighting, and landscaping works. The Walk of the Dubai Water Canal will be linked with the running track and the Walk of the Jumeirah Corniche, extending 7km.

Shaikh Mohammed also reviewed the designs of smart lighting poles which can be controlled via a smart app. A total of 37 lighting poles have been installed in the northern bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road extending 899 meters, along with lighting fixtures on the footpath extending 271 metres.

"Lighting units are controlled via special smart apps based on a database for tracking the lighting condition, and sharing information and operational commands.

The entire area is monitored by smart surveillance cameras focused on pedestrians whose footage will be wirelessly transmitted to the site control hub. These cameras are capable of identifying individuals through face-recognition technology. The works also include the installation of smart WiFi systems enabling the RTA to interact with social media through 3G technology," explained Al Tayer.

Urban development projects

Shaikh Mohammed was also briefed by Saeed Al Tayer about property and urban development projects to be built on the two banks of the Dubai Water Canal.

The floor area of these structures extends to 4.689 million square meters, and the project includes 5,345 residential units and 948 hotel rooms.

The commercial floor area extends to 605,000 square meters. The project comprises the following districts; Gate Towers, Jumeirah, and Peninsula (Beach).

The Gate Towers bridge at the entrance of the Canal will stand out as a unique global landmark, encompassing a three-level mall built above the Canal spanning a floor area of about 300,000 square meters and featuring 434 retail outlets and restaurants.

The roof of the mall has been designed as a green park providing an optical connection between its greenery and that of Safa Park. The Gate Towers project will include a five-star hotel, hotel apartments, and branded apartments.

Property developments

Property developments on the Canal include four residential towers linked with Safa Park, about 500 retail outlets and restaurants, and 1,141 residential units. About 200 outlets and restaurants and 211 residential units will be constructed on both sides of the Canal.

The Dubai Water Canal project will peak at the Delta where a peninsula will be formed, adding more than one kilometre to the new beach of the Jumeirah Beach Park. This expansion will create a space for deluxe property development projects in the Marina in an area featuring more than 60 marinas, 1,817 residential units, 957 five-star hotel rooms, and 347 retail outlets and restaurants.

Phase I, II and III

Due to the massive construction works required for the Dubai Water Canal project, and as part of RTA's commitment to ensure the project is completed on time, the construction works have been split into three contracts - the first phase costs Dh580 million, contract for Phase II costs about Dh384 million while contract forphase three costs about Dh802 million. - Wam

and comprises the construction of a bridge of eight lanes in each direction on Shaikh Zayed Road above the course of the Canal that allows free navigation round-the-clock.

This also includes modifying lanes of impacted roads to ensure integrated traffic movement between the two banks of the Canal, which impacts an 800 meter-long sector of Shaikh Zayed Road. The project also includes shifting existing utility lines impacted by the route of the Canal, in addition to lighting works and water fountains on the bridge.

The contract for Phase II of the project, costing about Dh384 million, includes constructing bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads across the Water Canal that allows the passage of yachts of up to 8.5 meters in height. It also includes the construction of a free multi-tier interchange to link the traffic movement between Al Wasl, Al Hadiqa and Al Athar Roads to ensure smooth traffic flow after the completion of the project. The contract also includes construction of bridges that will link to the proposed peninsula to the south of Jumeirah Park, shifting utility lines via conduits passing beneath the Canal, and providing spare ducts for services under the Canal to meet anticipated future needs.

The contract for Phase III of the Dubai Water Canal Project costing about Dh802 million includes digging the Water Canal, building the sides of the Canal linking the Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf, extending from Sheikh Zayed Road and passing by Al Safa Park and Jumeirah 1 and terminating in the Arabian Gulf at the southern part of the Jumeirah Beach Park. The project includes the construction of three pedestrian bridges linking the two shores of the Canal and four marine transit stations to bolster the role of marine transit services.

Phase III also includes land-filling works to build a man-made peninsula along Jumeirah Park, which will double the beach line of the Park, increase the park area, and offer space for further leisure activities.

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