Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has given the go-ahead for the Phase Two construction of the ambitious Dubai Water Canal project.

The project, which has been awarded to China State Corporation, comprises the construction of bridges across the canal on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads at a cost of Dh384 million ($104 million). It will provide for a navigable height of 8.5 m.

“This phase constitutes an important step in the construction of the project which is intended to provide a link between the Dubai Creek and the Arabian Gulf via a water canal passing across Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa Park, Jumeirah Two and up to the Arabian Gulf near the southern part of the Jumeirah Creek Park,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA.

Bridges will also be built to a proposed peninsula to the south of Jumeirah Park.

Bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road ... part of Phase One development.

Apart from the bridges, Phase Two also includes the construction of a free and integrated multi-tier interchange to provide a traffic link between Al Wasl, Al Hadiqa and Al Athar Roads.

“The contract also covers utility diversion works beneath the canal, in addition to the construction of spare conduits for utility lines underneath the canal to meet the projected future requirements,” said Al Tayer.

Work on Phase Two of the project will be completed in the last quarter of 2016 in order to coincide with the completion of Phase One.

The Dh500-million ($136 million) Phase One includes the construction of a bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road comprising eight lanes in each direction passing over the canal course, allowing free navigation round the clock, he said.

Commenting on the progress on Phase One project, Al Tayer said: “The contractor is about to finalise the diversion of all utility lines within the right-of-way of Sheikh Zayed Road, and will embark on the traffic diversion works on the road in the direction from Dubai to Abu Dhabi next July for completion by October.”

Routes of roads that are impacted will be modified in order to ensure an integrated traffic movement between the two banks of the canal.