Gulf Construction Online - Dubai Metro stations upgradation flagged off

UAE Focus

Some 40 metro and marine transport stations will be upgraded by 2025.

Dubai Metro stations upgradation flagged off

01 December 2019

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a major contract for upgradation of three stations on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro in a bid to improve the connectivity between stations and urban and tourist attractions.

The RTA move is part of a five-year plan for the improvement of metro and marine transport stations and their surroundings to enhance multi-modal transit integration, bring happiness to customers, and provide a better mobility experience for pedestrians, cyclists and people of determination.

The contract was awarded at a session chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA.

“The plan envisages upgrading the facilities of 40 metro and marine transport stations up to 2025 and improving the connectivity between stations and urban and tourist attractions up to 500 m in the surroundings to ensure the safe and smooth accessibility of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” stated Al Tayer.

“The plan will kick off by upgrading three stations on the Red Line of Dubai Metro, namely Dubai Internet City, Damac Properties and UAE Exchange,” he added.

It also encompasses improving the infrastructure around five other stations; Al Rashidiya, GGICO, Al Qiyada, Noor Bank and Financial Centre Station; and two marine transport stations at Dubai Water Canal, Sheikh Zayed Road. The selection of these stations was based on several parameters such as the number of riders and people of determination, population density, geographical surroundings, and transfers to other transit means,” he explained.

“Improvements of the first three stations include adding a new western entry to Dubai Internet City Station and improving the link between Damac Metro Station and Dubai Marina Tram Station to handle the rising number of riders at peak times. An additional eastern entry will be added to the UAE Exchange Station to enhance the accessibility to the station,” noted Al Tayer.

“Improvements of infrastructure around stations include building pedestrian crossings, covering rest areas, providing directional signs, constructing cycling lanes and landscaping, besides addressing the needs of taxis, smart initiatives and accessibility for people of determination in the vicinity of metro and marine transport stations,” he added.

Among other developments, the RTA has signed an agreement with the US Green Building Council in a bid to step up bilateral co-operation, share technical knowledge and exchange information and studies related to core tasks and specialities of both parties.

The agreement will help the RTA boost its efforts in the field of green economy and environmental conservation that are high on the agency’s agenda, said the RTA. It will also help in ensuring its infrastructure is aligned with LEED’s (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) parameters.

The MoU has the potential to boost the agency’s pioneering role in sustainable designs, building and operation of rail facilities, sharing essential knowledge, carrying out revisions and updates of Leed BD+C and Leed O+M classifications for existing and new metro stations, remarked Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of Rail Agency, after signing the agreement with Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of the US Green Building Council.