Dubai: A 2km segment of Jumeirah Corniche, which is currently being developed, will open to the public during Ramadan, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Wednesday.
Rest of the 14km long corniche project, stretching from Jumeirah Mosque to Burj Al Arab, is expected to be ready by October this year as 55 per cent of the overall work has been completed.
Launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as a healthy lifestyle hub, the project will facilitate jogging, walking, swimming, rowing and other activities that suit families and contribute to enhancing physical fitness.
“This urban project is undertaken in response to the directives of Shaikh Mohammad to make people happier. Shaikh Mohammad considers sport as a key element in building the community and having healthy individuals capable of adding to the development drive,” Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of RTA, said.
The Dh100 million project, which began last year, will include a five metre-wide walking track, a four metre-wide jogging track, extension of the existing cycling tracks in Jumeirah, recreational facilities, rest areas as well as retail kiosks and shaded benches overlooking the beach.
Once ready, the corniche, which currently houses several open beaches, will become Dubai’s longest corniche and a social and sports hub of the city.
“Besides offering a value-added aesthetic & comfortable relaxation destination, the project commands special importance as it contributes to the improvement of the social infrastructure in the emirate, particularly as regards the quality of the public health of the community in terms of providing wider opportunities for jogging and walking as well as a host of water sports such as swimming and rowing among others. These beach activities befit all family members and contribute to raising their physique, thus having a direct contribution to improving the public health of the through,” Al Tayer noted.
Currently, some of the open beaches in the area lack basic amenities such as toilets, showers and changing rooms, which RTA said will be rectified after the project is complete.
“The corniche will have all the basic facilities that a recreational and public area could have including toilets, showers, change rooms, refreshment stalls, rest areas as well as retail kiosks,” Al Tayer added.
The project overlooks Jumeirah’s six prime residential pockets and will complement the Dubai Canal, linking the Dubai Creek to the Arabian Sea through Jumeirah Corniche..
Jumeirah Corniche will have a distinctive landscaping theme featuring well designed and positioned flora, and decorative lighting characterised by stylish and creative design.
