Sharjah Corniche (Al Bahr Road) to open on Thursday

The Sharjah Public Works Department and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) will jointly open the Sharjah Corniche (Al Bahr Road) on Thursday, after the completion of the Dhs21 million 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 co-operation 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." He clarified that 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. He 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. Yousif Al Mutawa, Manager of the Heart of Sharjah Destination, said that 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 that 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 finalising this step will accelerate the development works of the first phase of the Heart of Sharjah project. 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 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.