Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is expected to award project contracts for the Business Bay Canal Extension before the end of this year to enable contractors to start work in the first quarter of next year.

The work, which also comprises modification of existing roads and bridges, will aim to extend the canal from the Sheikh Zayed Road up to the Arabian Gulf shores. The canal, which is 2.8 km long and 80 m to 100 m in width, will cross the Sheikh Zayed Road (before Safa Interchange) and pass through Safa Park, Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, and Jumeirah Road and on to the Arabian Gulf, thus ensuring the renewal of water in the entire canal.

The project, which costs about Dh1.5 billion ($408 million), requires construction of bridges rising 8.5 m over the canal on the key points of intersection. This includes the construction of a six-lane bridge in each direction of Sheikh Zayed Road, and a two-lane bridge in each direction of Al Wasl and Jumeirah Road respectively to ensure a free marine traffic in the canal round-the-clock.

Marine transit stations will be provided throughout the canal to ease mobility for the public and promote marine and tourist mass transit. The RTA will carry out several improvements on the key roads intersecting the canal as well as the surrounding areas such as Jumeirah and Al Safa neighbourhoods including the construction of roads alongside the canal. Three pedestrian bridges across the canal will be constructed in addition to footpaths on all the new main bridges passing over the canal will ease pedestrian access.

Moreover, jogging and cycling tracks will be constructed along both sides of the canal. Landscaping will line both sides of the canal and will include facilities for recreation and relaxation and other tourist-oriented projects.