The opening ceremony for the Dubai Water Canal will take place on Wednesday evening with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurating the new waterway, according to Emirates 24/7.

The 3.2 kilometer canal was built at a cost of AED 2.7 bn and runs from Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf. The waterway had been under construction for three years and included the construction of pedestrian bridges as well as land extensions in order to host housing and retail areas along with restaurants and hotels.

The canal is designed to attract visitors and allow easier transportation by marine transport services. The Roads and Transport Authority will operate nine new stations along the canal for that purpose, five of which beginning operations on the day following the opening.

At the end of October, the canal had been flooded with water for the first time in order to prepare for the opening.