Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has started construction work on the Dh475 million project to provide a road link to Bluewaters Island from Shaikh Zayed Road.
The RTA Board of Directors chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, recently awarded a contract for the entrances of Bluewaters Island, which will be undertaken in cooperation with Meraas Holding at a cost of Dh475 million.
The island, which is located just off the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) coastline, is set to be one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in the UAE.
“Construction work on the project has already started to provide slipways leading to JBR Interchange 5.5 on the Shaikh Zayed Road.
The entrance of the island comprises a main bridge with two lanes in each direction stretching 1,400 metres in length and 25 metres in width. It also includes the construction of two lanes of 5.5 metres in width designated for an automated personal rapid transit system to ease the mobility of visitors from and to the metro station (Nakheel Harbour & Tower) on the Shaikh Zayed Road nearby the Island.
“The bridge will provide free movement for motorists inbound from Abu Dhabi on the Shaikh Zayed Road heading towards Bluewaters Island, and those inbound from Al Khail Road through Qarn Al Sabkha Street heading towards the Island. It will also provide free traffic movement from the Island to Dubai and Abu Dhabi via the Shaikh Zayed Road. The project also includes the construction of road connections, lighting, bridges and infrastructure works including the shifting of impacted utility lines and extending the required new service lines such as power, water, irrigation, sewage, and telecommunications among others.
“The new bridge meets the needs of Bluewaters Island, which promises to be one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the UAE. The Island will feature Dubai Eye; a Ferris wheel set to be the largest of its kind in the world in addition to demarcated retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zones. It will also host a boutique five-star hotel and varied residential options in addition to a bespoke ‘souq’ encircled by a promenade that will boast alfresco dining outlets serving a wide variety of cuisine. The island is anticipated to attract more than three million visitors per annum.
“The project will be served by a personal rapid transit system to lift visitors from the metro station to the festivities area, a footbridge will be constructed to link the luxury island with the waterfront of the JBR, and a teleferic [cable car] to shuttle visitors from and to the entertainment zone,” said Al Tayer.
