Business | General
RTA awards tram system contract
Alstom and Besix to execute 9.5km first phase of Al Sufouh line in time to open in 2011.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 00:03 October 19, 2008
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded the contract for the 9.5km of the Al Sufouh Tram project in the first phase to a consortium of Alstom and Besix.
Abdul Majid Al Khaja, the Chief Executive Officer of the RTA Rail Agency, said that the Dh3.18-billion project would have 13 stations and a depot and will have multimodal interchange stations to connect the tram with the Red Line of the Metro on Shaikh Zayed Road.
The stations will be near Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina and the Jumeirah Lake Towers.
The first phase is scheduled to commence operations on April 11, 2011. It will pass through Dubai Marina/Jumeirah Beach residence, Dubai Media City/Knowledge Village, Madinat Jumeirah, Mall of the Emirates and Burj Al Arab as well as other projects under planning such as Jumeirah Hills. It will be connected to the Palm monorail.
"The tram will not only be an effective solution to ease the traffic congestion but will add as a major tourist attraction in the city," said Al Khaja.
Currently around 19 stations are being planned for the tram system that would eventually cover 14.5km.
The tram system is designed to cater to the commuting needs of around 180,000 residents in the area.
Abdulredha Abu Al Hassan, the Director of Rail Planning and Design Department in the Rail Agency, said: "Each tram measures 44 metres in length and has a capacity to accommodate 305 passengers."
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