Dubai ruler approves $4.9bn metro project

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has approved the Blue Line extension to the Dubai Metro network.

In a post on social media network X, which was formerly known as Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed said the project will cost AED18bn ($4.9bn) and will have a length of 30 kilometres, of which, half will be underground.

He added that the extensions will transport 320,000 passengers a-day and will serve a population of about 1 million people living in areas such as Festival City, International City, Rashidiya, Warqa, Mirdif, Silicon Oasis and Academic City.

Sheikh Mohammed’s post was made on 24 November, the same day as the deadline given to companies for submitting expressions of interest in the contract to design and build the extension.

Contractors have been forming consortiums to bid for the contract. The teams, each of which contain a rolling stock supplier, include:

• Siemens (Germany)/Samsung C+T (South Korea)/Larsen & Toubro (India)/Wade Adams (local)
• Alstom (France)/FCC (Spain)/China State Construction Engineering Corporation (China)
• China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC – China)/China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC – China)

The design and build contractor will be responsible for all civil works, electromechanical works, rolling stock and rail systems. The contractor will assist in maintenance and operations for an initial three-year period after the project is completed.

The Blue Line will connect the existing Red and Green lines. It will have a total length of 30 kilometres (km), 15.5km of which will be underground and 14.5km above ground.

The line will have 14 stations, seven of which will be elevated. There will be five underground stations, including one interchange station, and two elevated transfer stations connected to the existing Centrepoint and Creek stations.

The scope of the contract also includes the supply of 28 driverless trains, the construction of a depot to accommodate up to 60 trains, and the construction of all associated roads, facilities and utility diversion works.