Gulf Construction Online - $218m water canal contract awarded

UAE Focus

Dubai Water Canal project ... Phase Three work starts.

$218m water canal contract awarded

01 July 2014

BELHASA Six Construct Company has been awarded a Dh802-million ($218 million) deal to carry out the construction work on Phase Three of the Dubai Water Canal project.

Dubai’s Road Transport Authority (RTA) has given the go-ahead for the contract, bringing the total cost of the three phases of the project to Dh1.76 billion ($479 million). The project comprises the construction of a water canal linking the Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf, extending from Sheikh Zayed Road, passing across Al Safa Park and Jumeirah 2, and terminating at the Arabian Gulf near the southern end of the Jumeirah Beach Park.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA, the scope of works on Phase Three covers excavation of the water canal, constructing the sides of the canal, three footbridges linking the two banks of the canal, and four marine transit stations to boost marine transport, particularly after the completion of a number of islands in the Arabian Gulf such as The World and Jumeriah 2 islands.

“Phase Three also includes filling works to construct an artificial peninsula across Jumeirah Park, which will double the length of the park beach, increase the area of the park, and offer space for additional recreational activities,” said Al Tayer.

Phase Three work was expected to start last month (June) with completion of construction targeted for the end of September 2016, in line with the anticipated completion of Phase One (started in September 2013) and Phase Two (started in May 2014), said Al Tayer.

The first phase of the three-phase canal project costs Dh580 million ($157 million), and comprises the construction of a bridge of eight lanes in each direction on Sheikh Zayed Road above the course of the canal so as to allow free navigation round-the-clock, and the modification of lanes of the 800-m stretch of the road that is affected to ensure streamlined traffic movement between the two shores of the canal, said Al Tayer.

“The second phase, costing about Dh384 million ($104 million), involves constructing bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah roads across the canal, allowing the passage of yachts up to 8.5 m high. It also involves the construction of a free multi-tier interchange to link the traffic movement between Al Wasl, Al Hadiqa and Al Athar roads to ensure smooth traffic flow after the completion of the project while replacing the existing light signals.

The contract includes construction of bridges linking with the proposed peninsula to the south of the Jumeirah Park, shifting utility lines via conduits passing beneath the canal, and providing spare ducts for services under it to meet anticipated future needs, he said.