Dubai Metro Red Line extension to Expo 2020 site ready by 2019

Red Line extension to the Expo 2020 site will be completed and available to public as soon as 2019, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at the opening day of the Dubai International Project Management Forum.

“Infrastructure of the network around Al Maktoum International Airport will be ready by 2019. We have to finish one year before the event of the Expo to make sure that the system works very well,” he pointed out.

The Red Line extension will form a 15km-long connection to the World Expo site - an area bordering Dubailand that has no transportation network currently.

Four options are under consideration for the extension. Three of the four options suggest a Metro link either passing by or cutting through Jebel Ali Free Zone, while a fourth option would divert at the height of Dubai Marina, and pass Jumeirah Park to run parallel to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

Although the decision about the exact route of the link will be made no sooner than next year, the extension is a fact, as a targeted development of the infrastructure is a necessity when preparing for a large-scale project as World Expo, the chairman said.

“We realise the scale of the event and its importance to UAE image. More than 25 million multicultural visitors are expected to visit the event during a period of six months. Moreover, we want to ensure a legacy for future generations,” he added.

Funding to the tune of Dh30 billion is required to develop the infrastructure of the whole city, exhibition yard, and the surrounding areas in preparation for the event, he revealed.

“Improvements and additions are needed to our road network, bus and taxi fleets should be operated with dedicated lanes, site access through bus, taxi and on foot should be realised and parking facilities arranged.

“Hopefully Etihad Rail will be completed by 2018, which will add to capacity of the existing infrastructure,” he added.

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