Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority has selected Aecom as consultants for the $5.5 billion Dubai Metro Gold Line project. The US-headquartered frim was selected to provide consultancy services for the upcoming project. Aecom submitted the lowest-priced offer at AED628m ($171m) in June for the five stages of consultancy work on the project. Moreover, Aecom’s price was about 18% lower than the second lowest offer of AED765m.
The offer was submitted by UK-based Mott MacDonald. The other offers were AED843m from US-based Parsons and AED 1.16bn from Canada’s AtkinsRealis. The scope of implementation on the project is covered through various stages. Stage one covers concept design while the second stage covers preliminary design. On the other hand, stage three covers preparation of tender documents while four covers construction stage. Lastly, stage five covers the defects and liability period. The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai. The Blue Line consists of 14 stations, including three interchange stations at Al-Jaddaf, Al-Rashidiya and International City 1. Furthermore, it includes the iconic station in Dubai Creek Harbour.
Project Factsheet
Significance:
- Significant $5.5 billion expansion of the metro system in Dubai to boost urban mobility and connectivity.
- Intended to ease congestion on the current Red Line by providing an alternative route across major commercial and residential areas.
- The line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and run through Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village, and Dubailand.
- Part of the larger Dubai strategy to increase public transport infrastructure as per the city’s Vision 2040 strategy.
Infrastructure:
- The project consists of five major phases: concept design, preliminary design, tender document preparation, construction, and defects/liability period.
- Will incorporate advanced signaling, computerized control systems, and eco-friendly metro technology.
- The Gold Line will be interlinked with other existing metro lines, providing seamless travel throughout the city.
- Developed to accommodate growing passenger demand and reduce road congestion in high-density areas.
Developer/Consortium:
- Overseen by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
- Aecom, a US-based engineering and consultancy firm, was selected as the main consultant after submitting the lowest bid at AED628 million ($171 million).
- Competing bidders included Mott MacDonald (UK), Parsons (US), and AtkinsRealis (Canada).
- The project complements Dubai’s broader metro expansion strategy alongside the AED20.5 billion Blue Line project led by Limak Holding, Mapa Group, and CRRC.
Funding/Timeline:
- Total estimated project cost: $5.5 billion.
- Consultancy contract awarded in June 2024, with design and preparatory phases currently underway.
- Construction to follow after tendering and design approvals, with phased implementation expected through the late 2020s.
- Supports Dubai’s sustainable transportation targets and long-term urban development objectives.
Significance of the Dubai Metro Gold Line Project
Once complete, the Dubai Metro Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai. It will run parallel and alleviate pressure on the existing Red Line. This is before heading inland to Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village and residential developments in Dubailand. Other than the Gold Line, Dubai is also making advances on the significant Blue Line project. In June, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice‑President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation‑stone laying ceremony for the Dubai Metro Blue Line. The contract to build and supply equipment for the Blue Line was awarded in December last year. Moreover, the RTA awarded AED20.5bn main contract to a consortium of Turkiye’s Limak Holding and two other firms. These include Mapa Group and the Hong Kong office of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation.
