Dubai: Construction of a major diversion on Shaikh Zayed Road for the Dubai Canal project will start on July 26, a senior official told Gulf News.
The diversion itself will be ready and open to traffic at the end of October, according to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).
The one kilometre stretch of road, from Business Bay Metro station to Interchange 2, will then be diverted on both sides of the road in phases.
The flow of traffic on the busiest highway in Dubai will not be impacted and the number of lanes will be kept the same, the RTA has assured motorists.
Shaikh Zayed Road is one of Dubai’s biggest and busiest traffic highway, with six lanes in each direction.
The nearly Dh2 billion Dubai Canal project is extending Dubai Creek from Business Bay to the Arabian Sea in Jumeirah.
Nabeel Mohammad Saleh, Acting CEO of the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “The first phase of diversions will be implemented on Shaikh Zayed from Dubai towards Abu Dhabi near Safa Park area as part of the completion of the canal project.
“Construction of the diversion will commence on July 26 and will be opened to traffic by the end of October. The diversion, which is one kilometre long, will not affect the current flow of traffic and the number of lanes will be the same.
“As for the traffic coming from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, the traffic will be retained on Shaikh Zayed Road while diverting it to the lanes currently available towards Abu Dhabi.”
Saleh added: “In parallel, works will commence on the implementation of the Northern Bridge towards Dubai on Shaikh Zayed Road near the [Business Bay] Metro station on the side of the work area after diverting the traffic.”
Dubai Canal, being built in phases, is expected to be ready by September 2016.
The three-kilometre canal will run across Shaikh Zayed Road, a side of Safa Park, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road before emptying into the sea.
It means the Bur Dubai side of the city (which is separated by Dubai Creek) will effectively become an island.
The project was launched in October 2013 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
It will include malls, hotels, restaurants, walkways, pedestrian and traffic bridges, and marine transport and leisure facilities.
The project’s Phase 1 has been under way for months, with underground pipes and utility lines being relocated or rerouted.
There have also been traffic detours in Al Wasl and Al Safa areas, near Safa Park and Emarat Atrium, to enable the relocations.
The Dh580 million Phase 1, contracted to Turkish firms Mapa and Gunal, includes construction of a 16-lane flyover on Shaikh Zayed Road under which the canal will flow.
Phase 1 is almost complete while Phases 2 and 3 continue simultaneously.
The Dh384 million Phase 2, undertaken by China State Corporation, involves construction of six-lane bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads. Yachts as high as 8.5 metres will be able to pass underneath.
Phase 3 will comprise the actual digging of the canal itself. The contract has been awarded to Belhasa Six Construct Co. It also involves constructing three footbridges over the canal and four marine transit stations.
