East gets taste for Metro builds

Saudi HSR will run 450km.
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Dozens of urban rail projects are under way, both in the GCC and in the wider region

With the part opening of the Dubai Metro, we thought we would take a look at other ongoing projects around wider region. It seems that every major city has got a taste for urban rail – which is good news for us as machinery contractors as budgets tend to be large and ring-fenced.

In addition to the systems mentioned here, there are a further six being built across India, the Tehran Metro is set to be expanded in Iran and there is even a plan to get the former line which connects Syria and Jordan running again. All this shows signs that there is a rail revolution on the way, which will need machines at the ready.

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It is in the very early stages at the moment, but it seems certain that Abu Dhabi will build it’s own light rail system for getting around the Emirate as part of a master public transport plan. Much of the line is expected to be underground, and it has been suggested that the total length of the network will be more than 130km.

The proposals were sent at the end of August from the Department of Transport to the city’s Executive Council for approval. It is very likely that it will be given the green light, as a virtually unlimited pot (said to be worth US $82bn) is to be made available for transport upgrades, as part of the emirate’s modernization programme.

The metro will mainly connect the proposed Central Business District with Sowwah Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Masdar, Capital City District, Emerald Gateway, Zayed Sports City and ADNEC.  

A further monorail track is expected to be 31 km long.

Abu Dhabi Metro would be linked to Dubai Metro and to other cities in the UAE and to other GCC states.

This project is part of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport plan to invest US $82 billion in the transport network of Abu Dhabi, which includes the construction of roads and a Light Rail.  
Mott McDonald and Steer Davies Cleave are the study consultants for the Surface Transport Master Plan of Abu Dhabi.

Phase                           Schedule                           Description

Design                          Q3 2009                            Consultancy contract expected to be awarded

PMC                              Q3 2009                             PMC contract expected to be awarded

Study                            Q1 2010                            Stage1 of the study expected to be completed
                                       Q4 2010                            Study expected to be completed

Construction               Q4 2010                           ITB for main construction contract expected to be issued
                                       2011                                  Construction expected to start

Completion                  2016                                  Project expected to be completed