RTA all set for constructing Phase II of Water Canal Project

Dubai (WAM): The Roads and Transport Authority is about to complete works under Phase I of the main traffic diversion on Al Wasl Road near Safa Park, needed as part of preparations for starting Phase II of the Dubai Water Canal Project, and the diversion is expected to be fully opened by the end of October this year. The diversion extends for about half a kilometre and maintains the same number of the existing lanes in order to avoid any negative repercussions on the traffic movement. Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said, "Works are up and running in the Dubai Water Canal project and progressing according to the timeline set. The project works dictated diverting the traffic on Al Wasl Road including diverting the traffic flow from and to Abu Dhabi to the traffic diversion are underway while maintaining the same number of lanes. The new traffic diversion will be fitted with all required traffic safety means such as signals, cautionary lights on the street and concrete barriers. Work has started in laying utility line conduits underneath the path of the proposed canal while protecting and diverting utility lines underneath the traffic diversion path. Concurrently with these diversions, construction work will start on the bridge on Al Wasl Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi, once the traffic movement is routed directly through the traffic diversion." Works in the Water Canal project are divided into three phases; the initial phase includes the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on the Sheikh Zayed Road sector where 8-lane bridges rising 8 meters above the water level will be constructed in each direction, thus enabling free marine navigation in the canal around the clock, as well as a number of improvements on the main roads network intersecting the course of the canal. The second phase includes the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on the Jumeirah and Al Wasl Roads, comprising 3 lanes on the Jumeirah Road and 2 lanes on Al Wasl Road in each direction, in addition to a ramp from Al Wasl Road to Al Hadiqa Road in the direction of the Sheikh Zayed Road. The third phase includes digging a 3.2 km-long canal, filling works to create an island on the beach side, constructing a marine wall around the island to prepare a sand beach, building marina for yachts and the Water Bus, and constructing three eye-catching footbridges. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/general/1395271068320.html