The Creek will become an alternative for those seeking to beat the traffic.
The ambitious Dubai Creek extension plan will turn Bur Dubai into an island and a major tourist attraction.
The creek is being extended for 12.2 kilometres and will be used as a transport route linking the new developments.
The Dubai Creek, which starts at the Arabian Gulf near Al Shindagha in Bur Dubai, is currently 14 kilometres long and ends at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Some 10 kilometres of the total 12.2 kilometres of the Dubai Creek extension work has already been completed in the Business Bay area by the developers and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is finalising plans to start construction on the 2.2 kilometres of the final phase of the extension stretching from Shaikh Zayed Road to the sea by way of Safa Park and Jumeirah-2.
An official at the RTA told Gulf News that while the final phase of the Dubai Creek extension project from Shaikh Zayed Road and Arabian Gulf was initially scheduled to be completed by 2010, it is being redesigned and the new completion date will be announced soon.
"Once completed, the final length of the creek will be around 26.2 kilometres with Bur Dubai becoming an island within the Dubai Creek ring," he added.
The Creek has long been a lifeline of the city as Dubai was initially built along the waterway. It served as a major trade centre with boats ferrying cargo to countries including Iran, India and Pakistan.
After the completion of the extension project, the Creek will become a major transport route as commuters will be able to use water buses, water taxis and passenger ferries to beat the traffic congestion on the roads.
The project also calls for landscaping, the provision of seating areas, public service areas and more parking spaces near Safa Park.
Meanwhile, the Marine Agency at the RTA has already started working on projects to integrate the marine transport with other modes of transportation in the city.
"We are working on upgrading the marine transport services through several ambitious projects," said Mohammad Obaid Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of the RTA's Marine Agency.
He said the agency would focus on the Ferry Dubai project, which is one of the biggest and most important projects being undertaken by the agency as part of its strategic plan.
"All the new projects along the Dubai Creek and Dubai's coastline and even offshore projects will be linked through mass marine transport," he added.
Currently, commuters only use abras and water buses to cross the creek between Deira and Bur Dubai. The creek extension work will enable passengers to travel from the older part of Dubai to new developments such as Business Bay and to the Al Safa and Jumeirah areas.
