The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will open this Friday the Abu Dhabi-bound southern bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road as part of the initial phase of the Dubai Water Canal Project.
The bridge comprises eight lanes with six lanes to be open in the initial phase and the remaining two to open in mid-July. It rises 8.5 meters above the water level allowing free navigation of marine traffic on the Canal around-the-clock.
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said: “By opening the southern bridge, RTA has effectively completed all works listed under Phase I of the Dubai Water Canal Project, which comprises the construction of an 800 meter-long bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road comprising 8 lanes in each direction.
“It also includes modifying the route of affected roads to ensure integrated traffic movement between the two sides of the Canal besides shifting the affected utility lines.”
Earlier this month, RTA opened Al Wasl Road Bridge in Jumeirah comprising three lanes in the direction of Dubai and two lanes in the direction of Abu Dhabi in addition to two lanes for serving the traffic coming from Al Wasl Road heading to Al Athaar Road.
Work is gathering pace for the third Jumeirah Bridge where the contractor is currently putting the finishing touches to the project, which will be open in July, Al Tayer said.
Once all three bridges crossing the Canal are open, the contractor of Phase III will complete the Canal digging works underneath the bridges, besides building quay walls of the Canal, constructing three footbridges linking the two banks of the Canal at distinctive locations, and setting up 10 marine transit stations.
Jobs also include landfilling works to build a synthetic peninsula along the Jumeirah Park that will double the beach line of the Park, increase the park area, and make a room for more leisure activities.