Emaar Properties has announced the opening of the new 820-metre long air-conditioned metro link that connects the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro Station with the iconic attractions in Downtown Dubai.

The opening of the link will significantly add to the convenience of visitors visiting Downtown Dubai, described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ which will host a series of celebratory events in December to mark the festive season, including the spectacular New Year’s Eve gala and fireworks.

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director, Emaar Properties, said: “At 820 metres, the metro link is one of the longest of its kind, linking Dubai Metro with the leading retail and lifestyle destination in Dubai.

“The direct connection with the Dubai Metro, which is now one of the most popular public transport modes in the city, will help in reducing vehicular traffic, and enable visitors to simply walk across from the station to Downtown Dubai through a temperature-controlled travellator.”

“The link has been a priority for us and we have achieved great progress in its construction as the foundations, columns and steel work have been completed with several professionals and skilled workers involved on the project on a daily basis,” he added.
“The work has been undertaken in close coordination with the Roads & Transport Authority and Dubai Police to ensure that traffic in Downtown Dubai has not been affected as work progresses.”

The metro link has ten travellators - each between 70 to 120 metres in length and 1.4 metres in width, with a central walkway for pedestrian use.

The travellators will move at an average speed of 0.5 metres/second, starting at the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro station entrance and travelling through the Downtown Dubai development before connecting directly with The Dubai Mall. At its peak capacity, it can carry over 13,500 people per hour.

The link is designed in glass, drawing on traditional Arabian architecture styles, enabling spectacular views of Downtown Dubai including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The ‘Mashrabia’ styled façade and colourful lighting will complement the existing architecture and add to the lively ambience of Emaar Boulevard.

Visitors will enter The Dubai Mall through the new metro link, with new retail stores set to open to cater for the 30,000 people expected each day. It will incorporate the highest safety features with exit routes along its length and easily accessible staircases.

The metro link will also provide a new marketing platform with multimedia advertising displays along its walls, providing organisations and establishments with the opportunity to explore newer, state-of-the-art marketing avenues for effective audience engagement.

Visitors will have an air-conditioned passage from the Metro to various leisure, shopping, commercial and lifestyle amenities in Downtown Dubai including Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Emaar Square, the development’s commercial hub and several hotels.

It will also facilitate the convenience of visitors to Downtown Dubai’s new commercial precinct, Boulevard Plaza and Emaar Boulevard, which hosts several lifestyle events including the popular Emirates Classic Car Festival and the Downtown Dubai Parade National Day. – TradeArabia News Service