Dubai ruler plans 14km corniche from Burj Al Arab

 A 14km-long corniche stretching from behind the Dubai Marine Beach Resort to the Burj Al Arab is set to open in 12 months after the project received the go ahead from Dubai ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Known as the Jumeirah Corniche Development Project, the corniche will be the longest in the emirate. It will be constructed along the beach adjoining six residential districts, State news agency WAM reported.

Sheikh Mohammed directed that it would link both the walkway and the jogging track with the $545m Dubai Canal Project.

He said the Corniche project should be completed in a year.

Sheikh Mohammed said the project was part of the government’s goal to ensure people’s quality of life through providing “ideal enabling environment”.

“We instructed the concerned authorities to increase the number of walking and jogging tracks around the emirate, and we will create and develop more to serve various residential areas in Dubai,” he said.

“We hope the people of Dubai will make use of these tracks and practice sports for the best of their bodies and minds. A lazy individual lacks positive energy and does not innovate or create. We have great hopes for the future, and these hopes will not correlate unless we have a healthy and fit people that are able to fulfill their duties toward themselves and their families and stand up to their community and country.”

Sheikh Mohammed's comments followed a tour of the project site, accompanied by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, director-general of His Highness the Ruler's Court of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on the project by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority.

"The project includes constructing a five-meter wide walkway and a four-meter wide jogging track, in addition to lay-by facilities containing kiosks and shaded seating areas overlooking the beach,” Al Tayer said.
It also comprised stylishly designed lighting fixtures, and public and health amenities, in addition to landscaping works, he added.

"The project aims to transform the sandy beach into a more vibrant area by adding aesthetic, recreational elements and public services for beach goers, be it residents or tourists who flock to Dubai beaches to savour fabulous beach sitting, jogging or hiking,” he said.

The 3km Dubai Canal project, announced earlier this month, will extend from the Business Bay district to and will cross the Sheikh Zayed Road, between Safa and 1st Interchanges, pass across Safa Park and Al Wasl Road and terminate at the Arabian Gulf.

The project will span more than 80,000sqm and will encompass new shopping and entertainment centres linked through a uniquely designed bridge to more than 450 new restaurants along with luxurious marinas for yachts, and four world-class hotels.

Dubai developers Meydan and Meraas will undertake a 40 million sq ft development as part of the ambitous project.