Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has inaugurated the second phase of the Dubai Water Canal, a 12-km waterway that connects Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf.

 The Dubai Water Canal project has been built at a cost of Dh3.7 billion ($1 billion).

 “Every achievement and success that we celebrate motivates us to move ahead with confidence, determination and optimism. We are challenging ourselves to generate the best ideas and initiatives. Our progressive way of thinking, ambition and positive energy will bring happiness to the people and prosperity to the nation,” said Sheikh Mohammed, adding that the Dubai Water Canal is a new landmark in modern Dubai.

Dubai Holding implemented the first phase of the Water Canal, which cost Dh1 billion and extends 9  km from the Ras Al Khor area all the way through Business Bay to Sheikh Zayed Road. The project is set to have a positive impact on tourism in Dubai as it will feature a number of tourism attractions that will also be developed by Dubai Holding.

Dubai Holding, through its real estate arm Dubai Properties Group, will also implement ‘Marasi Business Bay’. The development embraces the longest promenade in the UAE, spanning 12 km, featuring water homes, floating restaurants, retail outlets and five palm tree-lined marinas.

The project also features the region’s first purpose-built yachting destination with floating restaurants and cafes, alongside onshore boutique shopping and a range of leisure and entertainment facilities. The development’s residential units, which will be built on water with boat access, provide unparalleled direct canal views and create a unique new lifestyle proposition.

The second phase of the project, implemented by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), costing Dh2.7 billion extends 3.2 km and features 6.4 km of waterfront. The canal, which ranges from 80 m to 120 m in width, stretches from the Business Bay, crosses the Sheikh Zayed Road, passes Safa Park, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah 2 and terminates at the Arabian Gulf.

The celebrations started with the national anthem, and later featured an aerial show inspired by the UAE’s heritage against the backdrop of a water fountain themed: A Million Drops Make the Oceans.

This was followed by the screening of a movie titled ‘Dubai Water Canal, the New Face of Dubai’. The film spotlighted the Canal project, which is a culmination of the dream of the father of modern Dubai the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to deepen the Dubai Creek in 1959 to ease marine navigation, besides constructing Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges, and Al Shindagha Tunnel.

The film showed various stages of project works, which include the construction of three motor bridges linking the two shores of the Canal crossing over Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road. Comprising eight lanes in each direction, the bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road was opened on January 9 2016; Al Wasl Bridge, consisting of three lanes in each direction, was opened on June 1 2016; and the Jumeirah Bridge, also featuring three lanes in each direction, was opened on July 9 this year.

The project also included the construction of five footbridges, three of which feature iconic designs. Construction works on the canal project were completed on October 27, following which water flowed through the canal, effectively linking the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf.

Sheikh Mohammed then placed his finger on an electronic panel signalling the opening of the Dubai Water Canal, and the launch of the maiden water trip. A massive model of Burj Khalifa burst into the scene and fabulous laser lights sent beams along the Dubai Canal from Sheikh Zayed Road to the Jumeirah Beach.

Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage then boarded Dubai Water Canal Yacht 1 to cruise the canal escorted by different modes of marine transport. The canal was transformed into an outdoor theatre with four giant screens installed on the side of the Canal. – TradeArabia News Service