HH Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates the second phase of Dubai Water Canal

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has inaugurated the second phase of the Dubai Water Canal, a 12 kilometre waterway that connects Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf. The Dubai Water Canal project has been built at a cost of AED 3.7 billion.

Crown Prince of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and a number of senior officials, senior business leaders and other dignitaries attended the launch ceremony held in a peninsula near the Jumeirah Beach Park.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that in order to ensure the sustained development of the UAE’s economic capabilities we need to foster innovation, explore new ideas and think outside the box.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE aspires to rank among the leading nations of the world and further develop its position as a hub for innovation and creativity. He expressed his happiness at the progress of development in the country. He also expressed his confidence in the capabilities of Emiratis and their ability to lead the nation’s development.

His Highness said: “Every achievement and success that we celebrate motivates us to move ahead with confidence, determination and optimism. We are challenging ourselves to generate the best ideas and initiatives. Our progressive way of thinking, ambition and positive energy will bring happiness to the people and prosperity to the nation.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the professionalism demonstrated in the implementation of the project. He said that the Dubai Water Canal is a new landmark in modern Dubai.

Dubai Holding implemented the first phase of the Water Canal, which cost AED1bn and extends 9 km from the Ras Al Khor area all the way through Business Bay to Sheikh Zayed Road. The project is set to have a positive impact on tourism in Dubai as it will feature a number of tourism attractions that will also be developed by Dubai Holding.

Dubai Holding, through its real estate arm Dubai Properties Group, will also implement ‘Marasi Business Bay’. The development embraces the longest promenade in the UAE, spanning 12 km, featuring water homes, floating restaurants, retail outlets and five palm tree-lined marinas. The project also features the region’s first purpose-built yachting destination with floating restaurants and cafes, alongside onshore boutique shopping and a range of leisure and entertainment facilities. The development’s residential units, which will be built on water with boat access, provide unparalleled direct canal views and create a unique new lifestyle proposition.

The second phase of the project, implemented by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), costing AED 2.7 billion extends 3.2 km and features 6.4 km of waterfront. The Canal, which ranges from 80 m to 120 m in width, stretches from the Business Bay, crosses the Sheikh Zayed Road, passes Safa Park, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah 2 and terminates at the Arabian Gulf.

The inauguration event was also attended by Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum; Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Chairman of Dubai Holding HE Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi; Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) HE Mattar Al Tayer; Chairman and CEO of Meydan HE Saeed bin Humaid Al Tayer; Group Chairman of Meraas Holding HE Abdulla Ahmed Al Habbai and a number of dignitaries.

The celebrations started with the national anthem, and later featured an aerial show inspired by the UAE’s heritage against the backdrop of a water fountain themed: A Million Drops Make the Oceans. 

This was followed by the screening of a movie titled ‘Dubai Water Canal, the New Face of Dubai’. The film spotlighted the Canal project, which is a culmination of the dream of the father of modern Dubai the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to deepen the Dubai Creek in 1959 to ease marine navigation, besides constructing Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges, and Al Shindagha Tunnel. Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took this initiative forward with projects that made Dubai a global economic hub. His Highness also launched the project to link the Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf through the Business Bay and Dubai Canals, which stretch a combined distance of 12 km.

Work Progress
The film showed various stages of project works, which include the construction of three motor bridges linking the two shores of the Canal crossing over Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road. Comprising eight lanes in each direction, the bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road was opened on 9 January 2016; Al Wasl Bridge, consisting of three lanes in each direction, was opened on 1 June 2016; and the Jumeirah Bridge, also featuring three lanes in each direction, was opened on 9 July this year.

The project also included the construction of five footbridges, three of which feature iconic designs. Construction works on the Canal project were completed on 27 October 2016, following which water flowed through the Canal, effectively linking the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf.

Outdoor Theatre
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum then placed his finger on an electronic panel signalling the opening of the Dubai Water Canal, and the launch of the maiden water trip. A massive model of Burj Khalifa burst into the scene and fabulous laser lights sent beams along the Dubai Canal from Sheikh Zayed Road to the Jumeirah Beach. His Highness and his entourage then boarded Dubai Water Canal Yacht 1 to cruise the Canal escorted by different modes of marine transport. The Canal was transformed into an Outdoor Theatre with four giant screens installed on the side of the Canal. The first scene gave a glimpse of Dubai’s maritime heritage and diving trips showcasing Fath and Zabeel boats, which were used by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum when visiting the Dubai Oil well and during diving trips. The second scene highlighted the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in completing the linking of the Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf through the Business Bay and Dubai Canals extending 12 km. The third scene reviewed the spectacular urban structures on both sides of the Dubai Water Canal. The fourth one was entitled: The Dubai Water Canal in Figures.

The tour passed underneath the Water Fountain on the Sheikh Zayed Road Bridge and headed back to Al Safa Park Marine Station. His Highness then alighted the boat and crossed the first footbridge where he met a group of children who thanked him for this huge achievement that had turned the area into a world-class showpiece.

His Highness then made an inspection tour of the Walk leading up to the launch site of the Canal Memorial where he received a pearl from Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA HE Mattar Al Tayer. When His Highness put the pearl on the launch pad, a massive cylindrical model appeared through which heavy water flew in a shape replicating the Dubai maritime environment. Fireworks then lit the sky over the Bridge crossing the Canal at the Sheikh Zayed Road and Safa Park. Burj Khalifa was bathed in lights that announced the opening of the Canal. His Highness then posed for photos with teams from the RTA, Dubai Holding, Meydan and Meraas Holding, as well as contractors and consultants of companies that worked on the construction of the Canal.