Dubai reveals timeline for building Expo 2020 metro line

Dubai’s transport authority has outlined the timeline for building an extension of its metro system to serve the site of the upcoming Expo 2020.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) says the winning bidder to build the 15km line, which includes seven stations, will be announced on Jan. 28 2016.

The so-called Route 2020 project comprises an extension of the Dubai Metro’s Red Line from Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station to the planned site of the Expo.

Around 4km of the track and two of the stations will be underground, the RTA said. A future plan is in place to construct an additional three stations to serve the new Al Maktoum International Airport.

The RTA says it will start receiving requests for pre-qualification from potential bidders from May 31, and the shortlist of consortiums qualified to undertake the project construction will be selected on June 30.

It plans to release tender documents on July 2, and on Dec. 6 says it will start receiving proposals, before announcing the winning consortium on Jan. 28 2016.

“Construction works on [the] ‘Route 2020’ project will start once the contract is awarded in the first quarter of 2016, and the project is set to be accomplished in the first quarter of 2020 such that it will be up-and-running to serve visitors of Expo 2020,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman and executive director of the RTA, in a statement.

The RTA recently held a gathering to highlight details of the project, which it says was attended by representatives of more than 100 rail contractors as well as suppliers of trains and rail systems.

“The intense presence of international firms is a great start of this project which is set to provide safe and smooth transport to visitors of Expo and several districts of Dubai as well. It will also act as a vital link between various areas of Dubai and Al Maktoum International Airport in future,” said Al Tayer.