More than 1.5 million cubic metres of earth – enough to fill 600 Olympic-size swimming pools – has been excavated for the Arabian Canal, the 75km man-made waterway project designed and managed by Limitless.
Pilot excavation work on the $11 billion project has left a giant hole which, at 700m long, 200m wide and up to 45m deep, is big enough to hold nearly 20 A380 Airbuses or eight of the world's largest cruise ships.
Excavated earth will be used to form new landscapes along the canal including hills up to 200m high that will provide views of the waterway and create new land on which to build villages.
Limitless is using sophisticated camera and video technology to monitor land changes throughout the excavation, which began in December and will continue for four years. Its Goematics Information Systems team carries out weekly aerial mapping surveys from a helicopter up to 600m above ground, and will soon be tracking progress at ground level with new laser scanning equipment mounted on top of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
"The world is watching as the Arabian Canal takes shape," said Saeed Ahmed Saeed, CEO, Limitless. "The project will bring life into the desert, creating a landmark destination for Dubai's residents and visitors."
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