Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has invited consultants to bid on the Al-Maktoum Airport metro link project, Route 2020. The scope of implementation entails the extension of the route. The extended line will start from the Expo 2020 metro station. On the other hand, it will connect with the Al-Maktoum international airport’s West Terminal. The extension to the line will run for about 3 kilometers (km) and will feature 2 metro stations.

Reports note that the notice was issued in January with a bid submission deadline of mid-March. The existing Route 2020 metro link is a 15km-long line branching of the existing Red Line at the Jebel Ali metro station. The line comprises 11.8km of elevated tracks, 3.2km of tunnels, with five elevated stations and two underground stations. In 2016, RTA awarded the $2.9 billion design and build contract for the project to a consortium led by Spain’s Acciona.

It also included Turkey’s Gulermak, and France’s Alstom. Dubai’s plans for its metro network do not stop with the extension of the Route 2020 metro line connecting to the Al-Maktoum International airport. As part of the emirate’s long-term plans for its rail network, there are further extensions planned.

Significance of the Al-Maktoum Airport Metro Link in Dubai

Dubai’s Al-Maktoum airport metro link is expected to have a monumental impact in improving the city’s transport sector. Other than this metro project, the Gold Line and Blue Line projects are also taking shape in fine style. US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the upcoming Dubai Metro Gold Line project. The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai.

It will run parallel to and alleviate pressure on the existing Red Line. Afterwards, it will head heading inland to Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village and residential developments in Dubailand. The other metro lines in the pipeline are the Purple Line and the Pink Line, both of which are in the early stages of development. Once complete, these metro rail projects will facilitate ease of transport across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Firms are also bidding to update the emirate’s rail masterplan. In October last year, MEED reported that ten firms had submitted offers to undertake the project. The line will also ensure access to the Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport, a project which is expected to be the world’s largest airport once renovations are done.

Project Factsheet

• Project: Al-Maktoum Airport Metro Link (Route 2020 Extension)
• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Dubai
• Client: Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)
• Project Value: US$2.9 billion
• Status:
  • Consultancy tender issued
  • Notice released in January
  • Bid submission deadline: mid-March
• Project Scope (Extension):
  • Extension of the existing Route 2020 metro line
  • Length: approximately 3 km
  • Number of stations: 2
  • Route:
    • From Expo 2020 Metro Station
    • To Al-Maktoum International Airport West Terminal
• Existing Route 2020 Line:
  • Total length: 15 km
  • Branches from the Red Line at Jebel Ali Metro Station
  • 11.8 km elevated
  • 3.2 km underground
  • Stations:
    • 5 elevated
    • 2 underground
• Previous Contract Award:
  • Design and build contract awarded in 2016
  • Value: US$2.9 billion
  • Consortium led by:
    • Acciona (Spain)
    • Gulermak (Turkey)
    • Alstom (France)
• Purpose of the Extension:
  • Provide direct metro access to Al-Maktoum International Airport
  • Support future airport expansion plans
• Related Dubai Metro Developments:
  • Gold Line:
    • Consultancy services to be provided by Aecom
    • Route from Al-Ghubaiba through Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village, and Dubailand
    • Intended to reduce congestion on the Red Line
  • Other planned lines:
    • Blue Line
    • Purple Line
    • Pink Line