Dubai: A diversion on Al Wasl Road for the Dubai Water Canal project will open on Friday, October 31, with no traffic disruptions expected, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Wednesday.

The 500-metre diversion will maintain the same number of lanes and make way for construction works for phase two of the project.

Traffic will be able to move freely in both directions, the RTA said.

Another major diversion related to the project, on Shaikh Zayed Road, opened last weekend without causing traffic problems.

Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “Works are up and running in construction of the Dubai Water Canal and progressing according to the approved timeline.

“So the planned traffic diversion on Al Wasl Road, which includes the traffic flow coming from Jumeirah 3 and Al Safa 1 towards Jumeirah 2 and Al Wasl — and vice versa — to the temporary traffic diversion has been constructed with the same number of lanes.”

Utility conduits

She added the diversion “is fitted with the required traffic safety means such as traffic signals, directional signage, cautionary lights and concrete barriers. Works have also started in laying utility conduits underneath the planned canal (mainland side) while continuing works for protecting and shifting utility lines under the detour.

“In concurrence with these works, construction works will start on the bridge on Al Wasl Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi once the traffic movement is shifted directly to the traffic diversion”.

Work on the canal project is divided into three phases: the first includes the construction of bridges across the canal on Shaikh Zayed Road, comprising eight lanes in each direction. The bridges will rise eight metres above water level, enabling free marine navigation in the canal round the clock

Phase two includes the construction of bridges on Jumeirah Road and Al Wasl Road, comprising three lanes in each direction of Jumeirah Road, and two lanes in each direction on Al Wasl Road.

There will also be a ramp from Al Wasl Road to Hadiqa Road in the direction of Shaikh Zayed Road.

Phase three covers drilling of a 3.2km-long canal, filling an island in the sea, building a marine wall around the island to enable preparing a sand beach, building yachts and a water bus marine transport system, and constructing three footbridges.