Dubai Water Canal: Safa Park partition complete

The partition of Safa Park has been completed, paving the way for further progress to the ongoing work of the Dh7.34-billion Dubai Water Canal project.

“The work started about a week back and is almost complete,” an official at Al Safa Park said, asking not to be named.

“A major portion of the park will be replaced by the Dubai Canal, but we haven’t been informed as of yet when work will start at Safa Park.”

Emirates 24|7 reported earlier that the building, where the Dubai Water Canal will take a turn after moving through Sheikh Zayed Road and move on to replace Safa Park, will soon be demolished.

Created in 1975, Safa Park covers an area of 64 hectare, containing three lakes and over 16,924 different trees and bushes.

(Read: Demolition at Dubai Canal's 'turning' point)

“We saw the workers putting up the barricades and partition wall a week back. The workers tell us that work will be commencing soon for the canal project,” Anna Lucet, who has regularly been using the jogging track circling the Safa Park, told Emirates 24|7.

“We haven’t seen any notices yet on when they will close the jogging track. The day it is done and I will miss it. I am sure the canal will be an amazing project and have a jogging track as well.”

Residents, who stay in the villas overlooking the Safa Park, are also saddened to see a portion of Al Safa Park being demolished.

“I have been staying in the villa next to Safa Park for the past six years. It’s so pleasant to look at the greenery every morning and in the evenings going for a stroll with my family,” says Ali Ibrahim, a GCC national.

“I will for certainly miss it. I have seen the renderings of the canal and I hope when it is complete it will be far more beautiful than we expected,” he adds.

Construction work is in full swing with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) having awarded contracts, worth Dh1.7 billion, for the three phases of the project. Road diversions on Sheikh Zayed Road will commence from October.

The Dubai Water Canal project will include a new shopping centre, four hotels and 450 restaurants as well as luxury housing and cycling paths.

It is expected to provide new areas measuring 80,000 square meters for public places and facilities, as well as private marinas for boats and a new trade centre at the entrance of the canal.

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