By Ben Roberts www.constructionweekonline.com
Dubai’s prospective tramway system has been delayed by two years to 2014 due to the economic downturn, according to the Road Transport Authority (RTA).
Abdul Redha Abu Al-Hassan, director of rail planning & development at the government body, said in a conference in Abu Dhabi yesterday that the slump in the construction market caused the RTA to “re-plan our projects again”.
The tram system project, a 14-kilometre network to connect the emirate’s landmark venues, was launched in 2008 as part of the wider plan to offer mass transit systems including marine, bus and metro, by 2020.
The Al Safooh tram is planned to interconnect with the red line of the Dubai Metro at three stations along Sheikh Zayed Road. The tram will also interlink with the monorail of the Palm Jumeirah at the entry point of the Palm on Al Safooh Road.
Last month the Dubai Metro celebrated its first anniversary, though passengers are yet to see the opening of the green line to complement the red line, which will allow access to areas such as Dubai Healthcare City. This summer the RTA said it planned to open further red line stations by the end of the year.
