Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will open this Friday the Abu Dhabi-bound southern bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road as part of the initial phase of the Dubai Water Canal Project.

The bridge comprises eight lanes (six of them will be opened in the initial phase, while the launch of the other two is set for mid-July), said a statement from RTA.

It rises 8.5 m above the water level allowing free navigation in the canal around-the-clock, it added.

Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the RTA board of executive directors, said: "By opening the southern bridge, RTA has effectively completed all works listed under Phase I of the Dubai Water Canal Project, which comprises the construction of an 800 m-long bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road comprising eight lanes in each direction."

"It also includes modifying the route of affected roads to ensure integrated traffic movement between the two sides of the canal besides shifting the affected utility lines," stated Al Tayer.

"This bridge is characterised by a unique design with waterfalls flowing from the top, and smart lighting fixtures controlled via a dedicated app supported by a database for tracking the lighting condition, and sharing information and operational commands," he added.

Earlier this month, RTA opened Al Wasl Road Bridge comprising three lanes in the direction of Dubai and two lanes in the direction of Abu Dhabi in addition to two lanes for serving the traffic coming from Al Wasl Road heading to Al Athaar Road.

"The traffic flow on the bridge has improved massively, thus facilitating the movement of motorists from Jumeirah 1 to Jumeirah 2 & 3 as well as Al Hadiqa Road and vice versa. Accordingly, about 50,000 vehicles  now use the bridge every day," stated Al Tayer.

Last March, RTA opened Phase II of the project with the completion of a bridge serving traffic inbound from Al Athaar Road and bound to Al Hadiqa Road across Al Wasl Road. Since then, it had eased the movement of motorists from Jumeirah Road and Al Athaar Road in the direction of Al Hadiqa Road and Sheikh Zayed Road.

"Work is gathering pace for the Jumeirah Bridge where the contractor is currently putting the finishing touches to the project, which will be open in July," stated Al Tayer.

"Once the three bridges crossing the Canal are open, the contractor of Phase III will complete the Canal digging works underneath the bridges, besides building quay walls of the Canal, constructing three footbridges linking the two banks of the Canal at distinctive locations, and setting up 10 marine transit stations. Jobs also include landfilling works to build a synthetic peninsula along the Jumeirah Park that will double the beach line of the Park, increase the park area, and make a room for more leisure activities," he added.-TradeArabia News Service