Work on the AED2bn ($544m) Dubai Canal project has begun with digging near Safa Park.
The 3km long project will connect the already extended creek from the Business Bay area all the way to Jumeirah beach, cutting through Sheikh Zayed Road, Safa Park, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road.
Turkish construction giants Mapa and Gunal Constructions have been awarded the contract to carry out the project, while Halcrow and Parsons have been appointed as consultants by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
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Work on the canal is being undertaken through three separate tenders, one of which is for a 16-lane bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road. Another tender will be issued for the two six-lane bridges over Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, and the third tender will be to develop the canal.
Some service roads near Safa park and parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road have been blocked and traffic is being diverted to adjacent internal routes. A large section of parking area at the eastern end of Safa Park has also been closed and additional parking spaces at an adjacent vacant plot are being provided.
Although early moves to develop the canal are being made, work on the Sheikh Zayed Road project will begin at a later stage.
The bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road will be almost a kilometre long and will raise up to 8.5 metres, allowing luxury yachts and boats to pass through. And a number of marine transport stations, as well as jetties, will dot at various locations along both sides of the creek, enhancing water transport services in the city.
Ranging from 80m to 120m, depending on the locations, the canal will house various shopping, leisure, residential and commercial centres along both sides as well as four world class hotels, including a crescent-shaped building and up to 450 restaurants.
Safa Park, which serves as the epicentre of the project, will house a 50,000m2 shopping mall, six kilometres of beaches and a sprawling 80,000m2 waterfront walkway and leisure area.
The project will also have separate tracks for jogging and cycling and recreational facilities for children.
With a completion date of three years, the development is expected to further boost tourism in Dubai with an estimated footfall of 22m visitors.
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