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Dubai set for massive facelift (Wam) / 3 October 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday inaugurated the Dubai Water Canal which will connect the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf passing through the heart of Dubai at a total cost of about $2 billion. Dubai will also take another shot at a world record with the launch of the largest artificial lagoon which, when completed, will cover 40 hectares. The date of completion has not been announced by developer Crystal Lagoons, who said it will be four times bigger than the existing world’s largest artificial lagoon in Sharm El Shaikh resort in Egypt. Shaikh Mohammed with Shaikh Hamdan, Shaikh Maktoum, Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim and Mattar Al Tayer during the inauguration of the Dubai Water Canal on Wednesday. — Wam The Dubai crystalline lagoon project will be located in the up-scale Mohammed Bin Rashid City — District One residential community. The developer said the lagoon will form an integral part of the $7 billion community project. Wednesday’s Dubai Water Canal inauguration ceremony was attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; other Shaikhs and ministers. Courtesy: Youtube.com/Sheikhmohammed.ae Shaikh Mohammed was briefed about the state-of-the-art tourist and commercial project which offers a new lifestyle in the heart of Dubai and on both banks of the canal. He also reviewed the constituents of the project which stretches from the Business Bay up to the Arabian Gulf in a waterway stretching 3km in length and 80- 120 metres in width. The Canal crosses Shaikh Zayed Road (between Al Safa Interchange and the first interchange) and passes across Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, and Jumeirah 2 to terminate in the Arabian Gulf. All construction works of the project’s infrastructure, including drilling and building bridges, is set for completion in 2017. The canal will add 6km to Dubai’s waterfront, while the project will provide an area of over 80,000sqm dedicated to public places equipped with outstanding facilities that meet the expectations and requirements of visitors of all segments of society. The project encompasses new shop-ping and entertainment centres linked through a uniquely designed bridge, more than 450 new restaurants along with a wide array of luxurious marinas for yachts, and four world-class hotels. At the entrance of the project from Shaikh Zayed Road, an iconic Trade Centre will be constructed comprising four levels, including one underground level and three elevated levels linking the Business Bay with the project zone in a total area of more than 50,000 sqm. The development of the water-front will allow for the construction of deluxe residences and private marinas for boats along with pedestrian pathways, cycling tracks, together with fine business outlets, hotels and deluxe restaurants. The project will boost the position of the Jumeirah area as a premier and distinctive tourist destination in Dubai. The project is expected to attract 20 to 22 million visitors per annum. The ‘Dubai Water Canal’ will have a depth of six metres and bridges above it will rise more than eight metres, offering free navigation for deluxe yachts extending up to 200 feet. The canal will ensure the replenishment of water supplies in the entire Business Bay Canal automatically without any need for pumps. An extra flushing capacity will be added to the Dubai Creek when the canal is connected to the Business Bay, by approximately 250 million cubic metres per year. The total tidal water exchange through the canal is estimated to be around 800 million cubic metre per year, and the canal is anticipated to have a cooling effect, benchmarking to a similar project “Cheong Gye Cheon” man-made canal in Seoul, where the recorded thermal reduction reached -3.6 C. Explaining the project, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that due to the enormity of the project scale, it has been divided into three contracts. The first and the second cover building bridges over the canal linking with the key roads intercepting the canal course; which are Shaikh Zayed Road spanning eight lanes in each direction, and three lanes on each side of Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road. These crossings are constructed 8.5 metres above the water level, thus allowing for a round the clock free navigation in the canal. Al Tayer added that the third contract encompasses drilling and landscaping works as well as the construction of four pedestrian crossings. Four marine stations will be constructed to ease the mobility of the public and promote the public and tourist transport. The marine transit modes are expected to ferry more than six million passengers per annum, according to the marine transport plan in Dubai. Al Tayer added that the RTA will carry out several improvements on the key roads intersecting the canal as well as the surrounding areas such as Jumeirah and Al Safa neighbourhood, including the construction of roads alongside the canal to assist the mobility between those districts. As for pedestrians, a free and safe movement will be provided through three new pedestrian bridges across the canal in addition to footpaths on all the new main bridges passing over the canal. Moreover, tracks dedicated to practising light sports, such as jogging & cycling, will be constructed along both sides of the canal. Landscaping works will also be made in both sides of the canal including greens, benches, public relaxation areas, and various other facilities and tourist-oriented projects. Continue reading →