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Sharjah Public Works And Shurooq To Open Sharjah Corniche ’Al Bahr Road’ |
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The Sharjah Public Works Department and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) will jointly open the Sharjah Corniche (Al Bahr Road) at Thursday night, after the completion of the Dhs21m development works and the provision of service facilities on the road that connects Ahmed bin Darwish Square to Al Merraija Square. Corniche Road is situated within the Heart of Sharjah project, which is overseen by Shurooq, in cooperation with a number of government authorities and departments in Sharjah. Al Bahr Road forms the waterfront of the Heart of Sharjah project, which is considered to be one of the region’s largest tourism and heritage projects. Speaking on the occasion, Eng. Fadi Yousef, Project Manager at the Sharjah Public Works Department, said, "Sharjah Corniche (Al Bahr Road) boasts a strategic and historical importance and is one of the main arterial roads that delivers traffic from many surrounding roads to freeways. Al Bahr Road is the main thoroughfare within Heart of Sharjah project and runs parallel to Al Arouba Road; both roads connect Sharjah with Ajman and therefore experience traffic congestion during rush hours." Eng. Yousef said, "The development works of the Al Bahr Road project is of great importance as it demonstrates the efficiency of the department in the completion of road infrastructure and the additional streetscape works." "The project will have a positive impact on the ongoing overall development process witnessed in the emirate and will significantly contribute to maintaining the revival of tourism system," he said, adding that the department is constantly striving to develop the infrastructure in the emirate of Sharjah according to best practices and the highest standards. He clarified, "The road will be ready to receive vehicles in both directions and that public stops were provided, noting that the department has taken precautionary measures by adding backup electricity generation, water supply and sewage systems, which will contribute to accelerating the pace of future development works in the area as no additional backup installations will be required." The manager of the Al Bahr Road project said, "Due to the significance of the road and the importance of the works, the project was carried out in several phases over the last six months. The first phase included the removal of the road, which was followed by the execution of the new works and carrying out public services and utilities alongside. The road has been closed since end of November, however, the lane adjacent to the sea was opened for traffic between Ahmed bin Darwish Square and Al Muraijah Square in June." Eng. Yousef commended the efforts exerted by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), Sharjah Municipality, and Sharjah Police Headquarters represented by the Traffic Department. Mr. Yousif Al Mutawa, Manager of the Heart of Sharjah Destination, said, "The opening of Sharjah Corniche (Al Bahr Road) is an important step as the road is vital to Sharjah’s residents and visitors." He stated, "The opening of the road will help ease the flow of traffic during rush hours, especially as the area includes one of the liveliest ancient markets, and that finalizing this step will accelerate the development works of the first phase of the Heart of Sharjah project." Al Mutawa noted, "There is still a series of additional streetscape and recreational works scheduled to be carried out in the area. Additional services such as walkways, kiosks, restaurants, transport stations, public utilities and trees will also presently be provided to street. These works will not negatively affect the flow of traffic as they are related to the development of the Heart of Sharjah’s waterfront, a project that was announced by Shurooq in 2010." The Manager of the Heart of Sharjah Destination lauded the cooperation of various service departments who contributed to the successful completion of this stage of the project. He thanked the Sharjah Public Works Department for carrying out the development work, and Sharjah Traffic for their support in removing obstacles and providing detours to help reduce traffic congestion. He also praised the efforts made by Sharjah Municipality, SEWA and Sharjah Police. Heart of Sharjah is a five-phase, 15-year historical preservation and restoration project that aims to revitalize the heritage area in the heart of Sharjah. Construction work on the first phase has already commenced. A committee, chaired by HE Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Shurooq, and comprising representatives from the Ruler’s Office, the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Sharjah Museums Department, and the Heritage Department, was set up to oversee the project, The multi-phase project includes ongoing development works with the aim of reviving the emirate’s historic and heritage areas, re-establishing the link that was there in the 1950s and transforming Sharjah into a tourist and trade destination with modern contemporary artistic touches. The project includes museums, restaurants, cafes, retail outlets and other amenities in preparation for high profile events such as the Sharjah Biennale and the Sharjah Heritage Days, among many others. |
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