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20m visit Expo 2020 Dubai; celebrations to mark the milestone
Expo 2020 Dubai continues to be a magnet for all.
On Saturday, it reached another milestone recording 20 million visits since its opening in October last year. This was only five million away from its goal of attracting 25 million visits, the Expo News Service announced on March 19.
Around 70 per cent of guests who have visited the Expo hail from the UAE. Almost 2.8 million children under 18 visited the site.
The landmark milestone will be marked with celebrations on Saturday from 8.30pm. A special projection on Al Wasl Dome and spectacular fireworks will be part of the celebrations.
DUBAI, 14 November 2021. Children at the Monaco Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Suneesh Sudhakaran/Expo 2020 Dubai)
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and group and chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “When we started this journey in 2013, and even before then as we prepared the bid for Expo 2020 Dubai, we had a dream to welcome the world to Dubai and the UAE for an unprecedented global gathering that would live long in hearts and minds.”
“That we have fulfilled this dream is already beyond doubt, but to achieve such a landmark number of visits is a true testament to how the world has responded to what we have worked so long and hard to create,” he reportedly said.
Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and commissioner-general of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “In the spirit of optimism, millions of visitors and participants have come together, not only to witness and enjoy something truly remarkable but to also work together to drive positive social and environmental impact.”
He added: “Expo 2020 Dubai has demonstrated exceptional capability and agility in achieving a consistently high turnout amid continuing global challenges, and, as we begin our bittersweet countdown to the final curtain, we are proud of the collective efforts of all those involved.”
There’s a slew of events lined up at the Expo in the upcoming week. These include – Water Week – the 10th and final Expo 2020 Dubai Theme Week – running from March 20-26. The Week is part of the Programme for People and Planet.
Drivers in Dubai could soon experience dramatically shorter journeys as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the huge Al Khaleej Street Tunnel Project is now 80 per cent complete.
Part of the wider Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, the development is expected to reduce travel times from 104 minutes to just 16 minutes by 2030.
One of Dubai’s biggest road projects
The giant tunnel project stretches approximately 1,650 metres, extending from the end of the Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street.
Once completed, the project is expected to serve around one million people across several rapidly growing districts.
The tunnel includes:
- Three lanes in each direction
- Capacity for up to 12,000 vehicles per hour, both ways
- Development of 15 major intersections
Areas set to benefit
The upgraded road network will improve connectivity to several key areas, including:
- Dubai Islands
- Waterfront Market
- Dubai Maritime City
- Port Rashid
Officials say the project is designed to support population growth and keep pace with rapid urban expansion across the emirate.
Round-the-clock construction
To meet the planned completion schedule in the fourth quarter of this year:
- 14 teams are working continuously on excavation support
- Four additional teams are handling tunnel excavation works 24/7
Current excavation output stands at:
- 5,000 to 6,000 cubic metres daily
- Expected to increase to 8,500 cubic metres in the next phase
Massive safety milestone reached
The RTA also revealed the project has been completed nearly:
- Eight million work hours
- With zero lost-time injuries reported
The workforce currently includes:
- 1,591 engineers, technicians and workers
- 221 machines and heavy equipment across sites
Tunnel inspired by Dubai’s skyline
Adding a creative touch to the infrastructure project, the inside of the tunnel will feature a mosaic mural designed by Emirati artist Maryam Hathboor.
The artwork is inspired by banknote-style illustrations showcasing Dubai’s skyline, blending public art with urban engineering.
For commuters frustrated by heavy traffic, this project could eventually become one of the city’s most game-changing transport upgrades yet.
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