Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said it has begun inspecting the work progress as well as the compliance with the technical specifications in manufacturing moulds for casting concrete slabs for the Route 2020 project in the UAE emirate.

Currently under way, the Route 2020 project will link the Red Line of the Dubai Metro from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020.

The project, which has a cost of Dh10.6 billion ($2.9 billion), extends 15 km long: 11.8 km of viaduct, and 3.2 km of underground track. The project adds seven stations to the Red Line comprising a transfer station, a station at Expo, three elevated stations and two underground stations, said a statement from RTA.

The moulds for casting concrete slabs are being manufactured in South Korea, it stated.

A technical delegation from the Rail Agency of RTA, comprising the project consultant and contractor, has made a visit to Korea to inspect the work progress and verify the compliance of the factory with the conditions, requirements and specifications of Route 2020 project, said the RTA statement.

The delegation inspected and tested the accuracy and quality of the manufacturing of moulds, and verified the accuracy of their final assembly to ensure their compliance with the project specifications, it added.

Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, the CEO of Rail Agency, said: "The RTA is keen to use state-of-the-art technology in constructing its strategic public transport projects."

"It seeks to fulfil the highest global standards and specifications through collaboration with advanced countries in order to benefit from their long and diverse experience in this regard," he added.-TradeArabia News Service