Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to introduce constructional changes on the route of the Dubai Metro Red Line to move ahead with the plan for linking up with Route 2020 project.

The plan envisages the extension of the Red Line to the site of World Expo that will kick off in Dubai in 2020, said a statement from  RTA’s Rail Agency.

"The constructional changes require a partial closure of the rail track of the Metro Red Line between Jumeirah Lakes Towers Station and Ibn Battuta Station during weekends (Fridays and Saturdays only) over 10 weeks starting from July 28 to October 14," stated  Mohammed Yousef Al Mudharreb, the director of rail operation, RTA’s Rail Agency.

" An alternative operational plan would be in place as metro riders would be offered free shuttle bus service between the two stations," he noted.

Al Mudharreb said the alternative plan for the said metro partial closure encompasses the deployment of shuttle bus service to commute riders between JLT Metro Station and Ibn Battuta Metro Station.

RTA, he stated, had conducted intensive field studies, in collaboration with the contractor, to ensure that the alternative plan would be highly efficient in commuting riders between the two stations, given the intensive traffic movement over the weekends.

As per the plan, the contractor would upgrade the automatic operation system and add switches point to enable trains switch rail tracks and return at JLT and Ibn Battuta metro stations," observed Al Mudharreb.

"Metro commuters heading towards the UAE Exchange Station need to get off at JLT Station, take a free bus ride to Ibn Battuta Station and then continue their journey by metro in the direction of the UAE Exchange Station," he explained.

"Metro riders travelling in the direction of Al Rashidiya Station need to get off the metro at Ibn Battuta Station, take free bus rides to JLT Metro Station and then continue their journey on the metro in the direction of Al Rashidiya Station," he added.-TradeArabia News Service