Rakeen, a leading property developer and master planner, has completed reclamation work of the $1 billion Al Marjan Island, the first man-made island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

With the completion of the reclamation, it has effectively expanded the emirate's coastline by an additional 21 kilometres.

Rakeen has also revealed that infrastructure work for phase one of the 2.7 million sq mt project is underway, covering water, electricity, district cooling, sewerage, storm water service drainage, telecommunication, roads, channel crossings and street lighting facilities.

Phase one of the infrastructure works comprises the peninsula, island No1 and Island No 2 of the four-island cluster project.

Rakeen is responsible for the reclamation and infrastructure works of Al Marjan Island and is also developing Bab Al Bahr, the island's inaugural development project that will serve as a gateway to the integrated island community.

Leading regional and international developers have been awarded contracts for other prestigious development projects on Al Marjan Island.

“In line with the vision of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Rakeen has embraced the core values of sustainability, responsibility and prosperity in developing Al Marjan island as an attractive, sustainable and eco-friendly community,” explained Dr Fawzi Shadid, infrastructure and project director at Rakeen.

“We have maintained the highest standards in all aspects of the project, and have adopted modern technology and pro-environment techniques that will distinguish Al Marjan island as an environmentally friendly business and residential destination in the region.

“Moreover, our commitment to protect the interests of investors and stakeholders of the project is clearly manifested by Rakeen's timely completion of the project's reclamation work."

Rakeen completed the reclamation work of the entire Al Marjan Island after finalising the sand filling and rock work of island 3 in January. Reclamation works of island 2 and island 4 were completed in 2008.

When Rakeen took over as master developer of Al Marjan Island from the Public Works Department in May 2007, the peninsula, island No1 and about 40 per cent of island 2 had been reclaimed.

The beach formation for islands 3 and 4 has been completed as part of the dredging contract. For the peninsula and the islands 1 and 2 the beach formation will be performed at a later stage and after construction of most of the developments on these islands.

Rakeen has adopted the latest advanced technologies in the rock installation work such as the 3D modelling system and the differential global positioning system.

Rakeen also revealed that construction of Bab Al Bahr is in full swing with the first residential buildings scheduled for handover in mid 2010. Bab Al Bahr is a mixed-use development comprising six residential buildings, an office and mall tower and a hotel.

Other developments on Al Marjan island are also underway such as the Pacific by Select Group and the Marbella Bay by Manazel.

Extending some 4.5 kilometres into the sea, Al Marjan Island will feature a range of residential developments, hotels, resorts, recreational facilities and commercial & retail amenities. – TradeArabia News Service