By Staff www.emirates247.com
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has kick- started the initial steps towards the construction of ‘Route 2020’ project; which encompasses the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020.
To this effect the RTA held a broad gathering to highlight the project details, which was attended by more than 300 executives hailing from 34 countries representing more than 100 rail contractors as well as suppliers of trains, rail communication systems and technologies among others. The gathering was also attended by ambassadors, consuls of eight countries.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of RTA, opened the session which was held at InterContinental Hotel by welcoming the enormous gathering of representatives of international firms who were keen to know the details of the ‘Route 2020’ project which stretches about 15km and covers seven stations.
“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.
“The development of ‘Route 2020’ project is undertaken in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to achieve sustainable development, and develop world-class infrastructure and services in Dubai.
“It also comes in implementation of RTA’s master plan to provide mass transit systems comprising metro, tram, buses, and marine transit services,” stated Al Tayer.
‘Route 2020’
‘Route 2020’ project starts off Nakheel Harbour & Tower Metro Station on the Red Line and extends 15km (11km viaducts and four km underground), and includes seven stations – 5 elevated, and 2 underground stations.
It also includes a future plan to construct three stations to serve Al Maktoum International Airport.
The project serves districts with average-to-high population density such as the Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estate, and the Dubai Investment Park.
“These communities are inhabited by about 240,000 persons and the journey from the Dubai Marina to the site of Expo will take 16 minutes,” explained Al Tayer.
He reiterated the transparency of RTA’s contractual procedures for the construction of the project which would be tendered on the basis of a Design-Build contract model, and the RTA had charted out the timeline for the project construction. More info
