Metro to Al Maktoum Airport?

The extension of Dubai Metro’s Red Line to Al Maktoum International Airport will be fast-tracked if Dubai wins the bid to host Expo 2020.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Road and Transport Authority and a member of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo revealed the news last week in Paris, where bidding states presented their 2020 outlook.

The Dh5 billion project will extend the Red Line from Jebel Ali Station to Al Maktoum International Aiport, where the event would be held.

The extension is the only major addition required to facilitate the expected estimated 25 million visitors using public transportation to reach the site, as the infrastructure is ready or almost ready, Al Tayer explained.

The extension of the Red Line was already on the agenda as part of the proposed rail network expansion plan, which schedules the emirate will have a total rail network of 421 km with 197 stations by 2030 to cater to an anticipated total population of 6.1 million.

Because the Red Line extension needs 3-4 years to be built, the project would be fast-tracked if Dubai wins the bid to host Expo 2020.

Within the same time frame, an extension of the Green Line has been scheduled, which will connect Jaddaf to Academic City with an addition of 11 station, in addition to the completion of train projects along a 24.1-km long corridor with 12 stations.

It is not clear whether the fast-tracking of the Red Line extension has altered these plans.

Post-expo the second stage of the expansion project is scheduled to commence, which will cover 91km and add 58 stations. Dubai metro will see the addition of the Gold and Purple Line, and Jumeirah tram. After this 45 billion dirham project is complete, the rail network will be 200km long and count 128 stations.

The third stage is to set off in 2025 and be completed in 2030. In this final stage the rail network will see the addition of 221km of lines with 69 stations. Expected is the addition of a Blue Line and Violet Line.

Moreover, efforts are also being made to connect the Dubai Metro system with Etihad Rail, which will run for 1,200km in the UAE. The railway will connect the country to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the West and Oman via Al Ain in the East. Three proposed stations - Al Maktoum Airport Station, Dubai Land Station and the Central Station - will serve as hubs for connections to the wider Etihad Rail network.

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