Dubai Creek takes a turn

Dubai: The planned extension of Dubai Creek will create a complete inland waterway from Deira to Jumeirah, turning Bur Dubai into an island.

Dubai Creek, which starts from the Arabian Gulf near Al Shindagha in Bur Dubai, is currently 14 kilometres long and naturally ends at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is being extended for another 12 kilometres from Ras Al Khor back to the Gulf, passing through Business Bay, Shaikh Zayed Road, Safa Park, Al Wasl, Jumeirah 2 and the Jumeirah Beach Park.

Some 10 kilometres of the creek extension work is fast approaching completion within the next four months in Business Bay - a massive commercial and residential project by Dubai Properties which involves extending the creek from Ras Al Khor to Shaikh Zayed Road near interchange two.

The most critical part of the extension work is the next 2.2 kilometre stretch which will take the creek from Shaikh Zayed Road back to the sea.

Work on this phase will start at the end of this year and is planned for completion in November 2010. The final length of the creek will be around 26 kilometres with Bur Dubai becoming an island within Dubai Creek ring.

"Dubai Creek extension is part of the Dubai urban development master plan," said Mohammad Abdullah Al Dabal, Project Consultant for Dubai Creek Extension at the Business Bay.

"Dubai Creek has been the life line of the city as Dubai was initially built along the creek. Extension of the Dubai Creek is the extension of development and life along the creek," he said.

According to Al Dabal, the idea of the creek extension is to bring water to arid areas and ultimately bring life along the new waterway.

Business Bay is an 80 million square feet development, located along the extension of the Dubai Creek. It aims to provide world-class environment and infrastructure for global business and residents, say developers.

"Business Bay is a 'city within a city' being developed along the lines of Manhattan of New York or the Ginza of Tokyo, to provide the best possible commercial environment to world class companies, investors and business," said Hashim Al Dabal, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Properties.

Have your say
What do you think of the project? Will it ease traffic woes? Will you use water transport? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.

Your comments

The idea is good provided there is a check post like port authority at the entrance of water way to the Business Bay for security reasons. People should not loot and escape by boat faster than road. Plus, humidity due to high summer temperature can give asthma to kids. The scenic view will be excellent and good for walking around waterway in cool seasons.
Timothy
Dubai,UAE

It is just another option of transportation. I doubt that its usability will have any effective result in reducing the traffic since its route is very much limited and does not really connect the Shaikh Zayed Road to Jebel Ali and to the centre of the City. Therefore, the need for driving will still remain. So the main usability of this project may probably be sight-seeing for tourists.
R. Karkain
Dubai,UAE

This will be one of the best projects of its kind in the world. Water transport will solve the traffic problem.
S. A. Qadiri
Dubai,UAE

I think it will reduce the traffic in the city and I will use the water transport as far as possible.
E. C. Mohammed
Dubai,UAE