Dubai Canal to be inaugurated tonight

The Dsh2.7bn Dubai Water Canal will be officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai in a ceremony this evening.

The 3.2km waterway stretches through key areas including Business Bay, Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah Road and ends in the Arabian Gulf.

It also links with the existing Dubai Creek, effectively severing the direct connection between a large section of the city and the mainland.

“The Dubai Water Canal is one of the smartest ideas of Sheikh Mohammed to add a unique tourist and commercial showpiece offering a new style of living in Dubai city. He is always keen to roll out creative and cracking visionary ideas that define new concepts for peoples’ happiness and welfare,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority.

According to the organisation, the canal is expected to attract more than 30 million visitors a year, with a number of hotels and other attractions planned along its shores.

It is six metres deep and 120m wide with five pedestrian bridges and 6.4km of waterfront.

The waterfront includes dedicated footpaths, jogging and cycling tracks, plazas with interactive screens and sitting areas. Smart electrical poles controllable by an app have also been installed.

Marine boat services operating from new stations throughout the canal and linking to Dubai Creek will begin from tomorrow.

Read: RTA to launch nine new marine stations at Dubai Canal, Business Bay

Earlier this week ,the first picture of the newly-filled Canal from space was published by Dubai Media Office.