Special Features
Dubai Metro Project
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai, has announced that contractors of the Dubai Metro project have already started a public notification campaign that include flyers and press advertisements, regarding traffic diversions around the construction sites of the upcoming metro underground stations. The areas that will be temporarily affected due to the construction work on the project include, Union Square, Burjuman, Port Saeed and Al-Rigga.H.E. Matter Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority, said, “It is important that road users, residences and commercial developments around the construction sites of the Dubai Metro are aware of the construction plans of the project. The public needs to be kept fully informed on the development, to enable them to plan their route of travel in advance. Traffic diversions are an essential part of the Metro works; they are a short-term inconvenience for a better and brighter future for all our traveling public in Dubai.” RTA has also announced that Dubai Metro has recently employed more international railway experts in the field of safety, railway tunnel construction and management of major international contracts. This move reinforces RTA’s commitment to transfer international railway knowledge and expertise to Dubai, thereby generating and creating more employment opportunities for UAE nationals who will be trained on the management and running of the new railways.
Although site investigations including trial pit holes for the locations of the railway viaduct have already started and are progressing very well, the final plans for the ground breaking ceremony commemorating the start of the major civil engineering construction works for the underground stations are still being made, and the RTA is currently reviewing the finer details of the plan with their consultants and contractors. An announcement in this regard will be made by RTA in due course.
With respect to railway stations, at present there are 43 approved stations on the Green and the Red Lines. The RTA continues to work towards developing the railway lines so that the metro network can cover more areas within Dubai and reach more traveling customers. 15 stations have been earmarked for funding by private sponsors who have requested to have these railway stations located close to their business centers.
“Many business developers have approached the RTA seeking joint development and expressing their willingness to participate in this mega railway project. The RTA wishes to establish closer relationships with all sponsors and property developers in order to provide easier and congestion-free access to large business centers. This will no doubt be for the greater benefit of the city of Dubai,” concluded H.E. Matter Al-Tayer.
