The Ruler of Sharjah has opened a multibillion-dirham road and tunnel route to cut travel times to the east coast.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi was present as the 87km-road – which includes 6km of tunnels through the mountains – to Khor Fakkan was opened to drivers at the weekend.
He also announced a series of public projects to improve life in the deep-sea port, an enclave of Sharjah on the Fujairah coast.
These include a clock tower at the entrance that he said "will be high enough to be seen from any part of the city".
"Behind the Naval Academy, there is a plot of land where we will build a state-of-the-art sports city that will be named Khor Fakkan Sports City', the Ruler said.
Among the other new projects is a "cultural palace", for which he said construction will begin in a few days.
Within two years, the Ruler said Khor Fakkan University will be built to replace Sharjah University branch in the city.
Khor Fakkan, which was once held by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century before they were driven out, has been undergoing a revival in recent months.
Heritage sites including Khor Fakkan Fort and Al Adwani Tower are being restored.
Plans to transform the town's 3km-coast, which looks onto the Indian Ocean, into a Jumeirah Beach Residence-style promenade were announced last year.
