DUBAI’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has issued a tender for construction of Dubai metro’s 30km Blue Line after confirming that six consortia have prequalified to bid for the contract.

The consortia are:

  • Hyundai Rotem; China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation; Nippon, Japan
  • CRRC; Limak Holding, Turkey; Mapa Group, Turkey
  • Siemens; Samsung, Korea; Larsen & Toubro, India; Wade Adams, UAE
  • Alstom; FCC, Spain; China State Construction Engineering Corporation
  • CAF; China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group; Arab Contractors, Egypt, and
  • Hitachi; WeBuild.

RTA invited expressions of interest in the project, which is expected to cost Dirhams 18bn ($US 4.9bn), in October.

The Blue Line will comprise a 15.5km underground section reaching a maximum depth of 70m, and a 14.5km elevated section. The line will have 14 stations, including nine elevated and five underground, and will serve the existing Centrepoint and Creek stations, the termini of the Red and Green lines, respectively.

The line will have capacity for 56,000 passengers per hour in both directions, with trains operating at intervals of around 90s. The Blue line will serve an area with a population of more than one million people, including notable locations such as Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Festival City, International City, Al Rashidiya, Al Warqa, Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Academic City.

The chosen contractor will be responsible for all civil and electromechanical works, the supply of 28 driverless trains and rail systems, as well as assisting with maintenance and operation for an initial three-year period. The contract also includes the construction of a depot to accommodate up to 60 trains, and the construction of all associated roads, facilities and utility diversion works.

The detailed scope of work for the project includes:

  • civil works, including detailed design and construction of architectural and structural components, including viaducts, tunnels and stations
  • design and execution of electromechanical works
  • design, procurement and delivery of operation and control systems for rail systems, stations and other facilities, and
  • design, manufacturing and supply of rolling stock.

Following contract award later this year, tunnelling is expected to commence in 2025, with trial operation scheduled for 2028, ahead of the line’s entry into passenger service in 2029.

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