Al Marwan’s Role in the Al Layyah Canal and Bridges Project

The Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project is a landmark waterfront initiative in Sharjah, UAE, designed to connect Khalid Lagoon to the Arabian Gulf. Spanning 210,000 m², the development includes a 60-meter-wide, 850-meter-long canal and two major bridges. Al Marwan Machinery played a critical role in this expansion by providing a specialized fleet of heavy equipment for rent. This high-capacity equipment was essential for overcoming the complex engineering challenges of the construction phases, ensuring improved water flow and the successful revitalization of the lagoon.

A Wide Range of Specialized Heavy Machinery in the Project’s Construction Works

Excavation and Foundation Works 

The foundation of any large-scale construction project is the excavation and earthworks phase. At the peak of the Al Layyah Canal project, 21 excavators were in operation, primarily focusing on the 60-meter-wide mass excavation, which involved moving 413,000 m³ of rocky soil. Large excavators from renowned brands like Kobelco, Caterpillar, and Komatsu, known for their efficiency and power, were instrumental in this phase and were able to handle the demanding excavation tasks.

In addition, ABI piling rigs were used for foundation drilling works during the construction phase of the two bridges.

Earthworks and Traffic Management

One of the primary challenges was the diversion of existing utilities and ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow. The heavy machinery used needed to be precise and reliable. Large Caterpillar bulldozer-like the D8T and Komatsu dozers, including the mighty D475A, were crucial in managing and preparing the site for utility diversions, while Volvo articulated dump trucks, primarily Volvo A40G dump trucks, efficiently transported excavated material away from the site. The coordination of these machines ensured that the project could progress without major disruptions to the surrounding areas.

Bridge Construction

The construction of two bridges over the new canal required specialized heavy machinery. The installation of concrete girders for the bridges was a critical task, handled by 250-ton and 750-ton cranes. These massive cranes had the lifting capacity needed to place precast girders accurately, with 12 cranes, including crawler and mobile variants, deployed during peak construction phases. 

Those looking to invest in machinery, such as the Japanese Kobelco crawler crane, can buy crawler cranes to provide the necessary lifting power for large infrastructure projects.

Marine Works

The marine works component of the project involved significant use of heavy machinery for the construction of quay walls and other waterfront structures. Special cranes were utilized to place quay wall blocks, some weighing over 30 tons, under restricted height conditions. This required precision and reliability, attributes found in the top leading machinery brands used on-site. The marine works also included extreme duty excavation into the water using long-boom excavators such as the Komatsu PC400 and Kobelco SK850 operated to construct the canal in the required depth.

Constructional Benefits of the Al Layyah Canal

The completion of the Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project brings several constructional benefits to Sharjah:

1- Improved Water Flow: The canal promotes better flushing of the Khalid Lagoon, enhancing water quality and marine life health.
2- Enhanced Connectivity: The new bridges provide better connectivity within Sharjah, reducing traffic congestion and improving accessibility.
3- Economic Growth: The waterfront development is expected to boost tourism and local businesses, contributing to Sharjah's economic growth.
4- Infrastructure Development: The project enhances the city's infrastructure, providing modern amenities and improved public spaces.

Reliable Construction Machinery Rental Solutions

The success of the Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project represents a model that involved operating high-quality heavy machinery and hiring. For companies working on similar large-scale projects, investing in reliable and efficient rented heavy equipment can make a big difference. Whether you need a bulldozer for rent and wheel loaders for construction projects or articulated dump trucks and crushers for quarry and aggregate tasks, our heavy equipment rental fleet has you covered, meeting all your project requirements.

The Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project in Sharjah stands as a testament to the critical role of heavy machinery in modern construction. The use of advanced equipment from leading brands ensured the project's success, overcoming numerous challenges and delivering significant benefits to the region. Companies seeking to undertake similar projects can invest in high-quality heavy machinery available at Al Marwan Machinery to achieve efficiency, reliability, and overall project success.

About Al Marwan Heavy Machinery

Leading heavy machinery provider in the GCC since 1978. Recognized as the GCC Rental Company of the Year for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), Al Marwan is the trusted one-stop shop for construction projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. As an authorized dealer for brands like Kobelco, Powerscreen, Dynapac, Sinoboom, Socma, and CIFA, we offer a comprehensive suite of services covering the entire machinery lifecycle:

• ​​New Heavy Equipment: As an authorized dealer, Al Marwan offers access to the latest models of excavators, crawler cranes, crushers, concrete pumps, and more. All new machinery comes backed by manufacturer warranties.
• Heavy Equipment Rental Fleet: Access one of the largest construction equipment rental fleets in the Middle East, featuring 3500 machines and certified operators. This allows clients to scale operations efficiently, minimizing capital expenditure.
• Used Heavy Equipment: We offer a curated selection of used equipment from global leaders like Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, and Hitachi. Each piece undergoes rigorous inspection and maintenance to guarantee optimal performance and reliability.
• Expert Support & Maintenance: Al Marwan provides comprehensive after-sales support and maintenance services to ensure the long-term performance and reliability of your investments.

By choosing Al Marwan, businesses gain a trusted partner dedicated to success and driving progress in the heavy construction landscape across the Middle East and GCC region.