Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has issued an invitation to contractors to express their interest in a substantial infrastructure project.
According to a notice obtained by Arabian Business, the RTA is welcoming contractors to engage in the planning and construction of the Dubai Metro network’s new Blue Line. In this initiative, international contractors are expected to form partnerships with local counterparts.
The scope of this extensive project includes civil works, electromechanical works, rolling stock, and rail systems.
Moreover, the selected contractor will play a pivotal role in the maintenance and operations of the new line for an initial three-year period upon completion.
What we know so far
The upcoming Blue Line is intended to connect the current Red and Green lines, spanning a total distance of 30 kilometres. About half of this distance, roughly 15.5 kilometers, will be situated underground, while the remaining 14.5 kilometers will be elevated above the ground.
This line is expected to comprise a total of 14 stations, with seven of them being elevated stops. Notably, one of these elevated stations will be of iconic significance. Additionally, there will be five underground stations, which will include an interchange station, and two elevated transfer stations that will link to Centrepoint and Creek stations.
For companies interested in participating, the RTA has provided a form that can be downloaded from the official link.
The completed form, duly signed and stamped, should be submitted via email to cpdepartment@rta.ae by 2 PM on November 24.
Contract details
In addition to the railway infrastructure, the contract includes the supply of 28 driverless trains, the construction of a depot capable of accommodating up to 60 trains, and the development of associated roads, facilities, and utility diversion works.
The detailed scope of work incorporates civil engineering, electromechanical design and execution, procurement and delivery of operation and control systems, as well as the manufacturing and supply of rolling stock.
This expansion project, which is reportedly estimated to cost several billion dollars, aligns with Dubai’s urban development plans, particularly the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan unveiled in March 2021.
It expects a high increase in the emirate’s population, with a projected rise to 5.8 million residents by 2040, up from 3.3 million in 2020. Daytime population is expected to surge from 4.5 million in 2020 to 7.8 million in 2040.
Highlighting the commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life and reducing commute times, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the 20-Minute City strategy in December 2022 as part of the second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
The expansion of the metro system is a key component of Dubai’s strategy to provide residents with 80 percent of their daily needs within a 20-minute travel radius, whether on foot or by bicycle.
This initiative will include the establishment of integrated service centres and a concentration of population density around mass transit stations, contributing to a more accessible and efficient urban landscape.