Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed the contract for the Route 2020 metro expansion project with Expolink, a consortium of French, Spanish and Turkish companies.

The project, which carries a cost tag of Dh10.6 billion ($2.8 billion), covers the extension of the Red Line of Dubai Metro 15 km from Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020, as well as the supply of 50 trains.

The contract was signed on behalf of the RTA by Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors, and on behalf of Expolink Consortium by Henri Poupart-Lafarge, chairman and CEO of Alstom; Jose Manuel Entrecanales, chairman and CEO of Acciona; and Kemal Guleryuz, chairman and CEO of Gulermack. Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA Rail Agency, was also present during the signing of the contract.

Al Tayer said the extended line will span 15 km comprising an 11.8-km viaduct, and a 3.2-km underground track. The project encompasses seven stations including a transfer station with the Red Line, Expo Station, three elevated stations, and two underground stations. According to the contract, Alstom shall supply 50 trains: 15 of them for serving Expo, and 35 for upgrading the service of the Dubai Metro. The company shall also cater to electromechanical works. Acciona and Gulermack will cater to civil works, and the French Thales Group shall attend to the technological systems, he said.

“The construction works in the project have immediately started after laying the foundation stone last September. The consortium is currently undertaking soil analysis, and sourcing of NOCs. Drilling works for laying pillars will commence before the end of this year. The test run of the newly extended line is anticipated to start in the final quarter of 2019, and the official service is scheduled for launch during the first quarter of 2020 namely on 20 May 2020, that is, five months before the opening of Expo 2020,” added Al Tayer.

Poupart-Lafarge said: “We are honoured to be awarded another contract by RTA illustrating its continuous trust in Alstom after the delivery of Dubai tramway. With the Dubai Expo 2020, the city and its transportation system will be in the spotlight as modern, connected, and focused on the future. Alongside Acciona and Gulermack, we will be fully dedicated to making this project a success and provide a metro system that is the most comfortable, reliable and safe.” - TradeArabia News Service