Venice Comes to the UAE as the $545m “Dubai Canal Project” Commences!

Construction is well underway on Dubai’s heavily anticipated inland waterway project, forecasted to join the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab as one of the country’s most renowned landmarks.

The Project
This Roads and Transport Authority’s project is set to cost nearly half a billion USD and should be completed by around September 2016. Spanning 3.2km, the canal project is split into 3 phases, contracts for which have already been awarded. Upon completion, the canal will link the existing Dubai Creek to the Arabian Gulf. 

The canal is also estimated to facilitate six million boat journeys per year, as well as accommodate the development of 4,500 residential and serviced apartments.

The Plan
Phase one; involves the construction over 2.5 years of an 8.5m high, 16-lane wide, 1km long bridge along Sheikh Zayed Road, allowing for the canal to flow underneath.

Phase two; will comprise two 6-lane bridges being built on Al Wasl Road and Jumeriah Beach, also planned to be at least 8.5 metres high to allow luxury boats and yachts to travel underneath them. In addition, a flyover will also be built from Al Wasl Road to Al Hadiqa Road.

The final phase; costing in the region of $218m, covers the construction of the 3.2km long canal; as well as landfilling works, the sea wall, three pedestrian bridges to link the canal banks and four marine transit stations in a bid to boost the country’s marine transport.

It doesn’t End There…
The development will also include a new shopping centre, four hotels, 450 restaurants as well as luxury housing and cycling paths.

The Concern
Regarding Phase 1, Dubai residents have voiced their concerns about disruption to travel on the already chaotic SZR. However, Chairman of the RTA Board, Mattar Al Tayer, has reassured that a temporary 6-lane track will be operational when diversions begin on 25th October, stating: “during the diversion stage, the same number of the existing lanes will be maintained in order to avoid any negative repercussions on the current traffic volumes, thus avert any potential additional congestion or delay as a result of the construction works”.

It was also voiced by the architect who designed the Garhoud Bridge, that the Sheikh Zayed Road is not only a major transport axis but also an important corridor for services. Any intervention in such a vital vein of a city is logistically complex. Any negative mpact on traffic will, for sure, be enormous for everyone living in Dubai.

Who is Involved?
A number of large, reputable program management, design consultancies and specialist contractors have been awarded packages of work on this mega development. There is no doubt that the design and execution of temporary works will play a pivotal role in the success of the bridge over Sheikh Zayed Road, as well as the canal itself.  

Maxim has recently strengthened its footprint in the UAE with the opening of its Dubai office, coincidentally in the Crown Plaza Commercial Building on Sheikh Zayed Road. If you are a Temporary Works Engineer, Earthworks Engineer or Structural Engineer with bridges experience or indeed a Project Manager with specific marine or canal construction experience in Dubai, the Middle East and would like to chat about opportunities then please forward your CV via the website and contact Dan Kirk or John Lee in the Maxim Recruitment office in Dubai.

Dan Kirk:  +971 5 6438 1635
John Lee:  +971 4 311 7169

Dan Kirk
Maxim Middle East Executive Search LLC DWC
Dubai & Middle East Region