Dubai: With the completion of three major flyovers on Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road, work on the Dubai Water Canal project has entered the final stage.
The completion of flyovers that run across the canal at a height of eight metres allows the contractors to finish the pending excavation work.
A trip down the Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road flyovers now offer a view of completed portions of the canal.
Construction Progress Time lapse - Al Habtoor City Dubai Water Canal. fäm Properties - Dubai Real Estate Brokers
According to the latest update from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), 75 per cent of the canal excavation work has been done and the rest is set to be over by the end of September.
The Dh2 billion project is being carried out in five phases and the excavation is part of phase three. Phases four and five are also being carried out simultaneously.
Phase 3 includes drilling of the canal, building quay walls, and constructing three pedestrian bridges linking the two sides of the Canal at key locations to ease pedestrian mobility.
Work is also under way to build an artificial crescent-shaped island along Jumeirah Park, which will double the length of Jumeirah Park Beach, increase the park area and allow space for more recreational activities.
Stretching for 3.2 kilometres from Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf, the canal cuts across Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Safa Park, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road.
With the width ranging from 80 to 120 metres and a depth of up to 6 metres, the canal will add six kilometres to Dubai’s waterfront.
The canal will be served by modern water transport means, including water taxis and ferries.
Al Habtoor City - Dubai Water Canal Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai. fäm Properties - Dubai Real Estate Brokers
As part of phase three, 10 marine transport stations are currently under construction.
Marine transit modes are expected to transport more than six million passengers annually through the canal, serving the man-made islands off the coast.
Phases one and two, which have been completed, include the shifting of utility lines in the vicinity of the canal area as well as construction of the three flyovers.
Phase two also included replacing a signalised junction near Al Safa Park with an integrated multi-tier interchange connecting Al Wasl, Al Hadiqa and Al Aathar streets.
Meanwhile, RTA recently awarded a contract worth Dh703 million for phases four and five.
Phase four, which costs Dh307 million, will see completion of infrastructural works required to serve property development on both sides of the canal, including road works and utility lines.
Phase five, which is being carried at a cost of Dh396 million, will link the Business Bay Canal with the Dubai Water Canal terminating at the Arabian Gulf. Work includes building quay walls of precast concrete slabs all along the stretch of the canal and diverting utility lines and key services to complete the construction of the canal.
Phase five also includes the treatment of hyper-saline water of the Business Bay Lakes and removing sand barriers in the course of the canal.
Both phases are set for completion by the end of September.
