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Canal project: Work on Shaikh Zayed Road diversion begins

The diversion, which is set to be completed by the end of next October, stretches 1km and keeps the same number of the existing lanes.

Work on 1km stretch to be completed by end of October

The Roads and Transport Authority has started work on the initial phase of the main traffic diversion on the Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi direction near Safa Park as part of the Dubai Water Canal project.

The diversion, which is set to be completed by the end of next October, stretches 1km and keeps the same number of the existing lanes to avoid any repercussions on the traffic flow throughout the project construction period.

Maitha bint Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “The Abu Dhabi-bound traffic stream will be routed to the new traffic diversion, while maintaining the traffic movement outbound from Abu Dhabi on the Shaikh Zayed Road by diverting it to the lanes currently directed towards Abu Dhabi.

“Parallel to this, the RTA will be starting construction work on the northern bridge in the direction of Dubai on the Shaikh Zayed Road near the Metro line after routing the traffic movement directly to the traffic diversion.”

Construction of the project will be split in three contracts: The first comprises the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on the Shaikh Zayed Road consisting eight lanes in each direction.

The second phase includes the construction of bridges across the Water Canal on the Jumeirah and Al Wasl Roads spanning three lanes on the Jumeirah Road and two lanes on Al Wasl Road in each direction. This is in addition to a flyover from Al Wasl Road to Al Hadiqa Road in the direction of the Shaikh Zayed Road.

The third phase encompasses the drilling of a 3.2km-long canal, landfilling works of the island, constructing a sea wall around the island to prepare the sand beach, building a marina for boats and the Water Bus, and constructing three landmark pedestrian bridges above the canal to link the Jumeirah Beach Walk with Safa Park Walk.

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