UAE | Traffic and Transport

Dubai Metro finishes tunnelling work

Construction of 12.6km critical underground tracks for Red and Green Lines completed.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 23:11 April 14, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • A track-checking car runs on the Dubai Metro stretch along Shaikh Zayed Road opposite Dubai Marina. Metro officials claim the Red Line is on schedule to meet the opening deadline of September 9.
  • Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News

Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has achieved another milestone on the construction of Dubai Metro with the completion of tunnelling work on both the Red and the Green Lines.

"The tunnelling work has been completed and the tunnel boring machines named Al Wugeisha have been dismantled," said Engineer Adnan Al Hammadi, Director of Construction of Dubai Metro at the RTA's Rail Agency.

He said the construction of the 12.6km underground tracks for the Dubai Metro was the most critical phase of the 74.6km-long project. "The metro track goes underground in the Central Business District on both sides of the Dubai Creek and runs under the buildings, road corridors and also passes under the creek waters at two locations," Al Hammadi added.

He reiterated that the Dubai Metro project is well on schedule and the Red Line will open for public transport on September 9. The Green Line is scheduled to open in March next year.

One of the longest tunnels is between the Burjuman Centre and the Union Square Stations, which are the two largest underground stations on the metro network. These two stations are also called "transfer" stations where the Red and the Green Lines will cross each other. Some 1.479km-long tunnel, which also passes under the creek to connect these two stations.

The tunnel that connects Union Square Station to Riqqa Underground Station is 948 metres long while the length of the tunnel that connects Riqqa Station to Deira City Centre Station is 1,168 metres.

The total length of underground metro on the 52.1km long Red Line is 4.7km. The excavation diameter of the tunnel is 9.6 metres and its internal diameter is 8.5 metres.

Al Hammadi said around 90 per cent work on the Red Line has been completed and some 55 per cent of the Green Line. Some 44 trains have already arrived at the Jebel Ali Depot in Dubai and are being tested.

Race against time: Some critical work left

There are a few works yet to be done on the Dubai Metro which the entire project team is committed to completing on time, said Engineer Adnan Al Hammadi, Director of Construction for Dubai Metro at the RTA's Rail Agency.

He said one of the main work to be completed on the Red Line are the completion of fittings and cladding of installations at the stations and entrance pods. Work on viaduct emergency evacuation staircases, access roads to the stations and cladding of installation at the car parks and depots are also yet to be completed. "We are all set to start on schedule," he added.

Do you think this will reduce traffic congestion? Would you give up your car when the Dubai Metro is launched?


Your comments


Well. It will definetly help. It is not only about congestion, but also driving. It consumes a lot of your attention and time. While in metro, you could enjoy reading and web browsing without any pressure. I hope other emirates will build a metro too.
Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 18:12

I am waiting for Metro to start asap. This will definitely improve the productivity level of an individual and you will be relaxed while going to the office and returning home. No Traffic, No Parking headache. :-)
Huzefa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 17:53

Well, we are happy to travel in Metro and reach at our destination in a short time. But it also depends on the ticket fare. A normal person will use metro frequently when has has no car or the has no company's transportation. Spending Dhs 20 /day will not be helpfull for us as a normal person's budget is hardly Dh300 per month on conveyance....
Mohammad Saif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 17:30

Undoubtedly, these mass transport system will be a great help for public commuters especially at this time of the crisis. but it will take some more time before we can say that its going to be efficient. people have to be encourage themselves to steer away from using their private vehicles and start to conserve enrgy fuels and money. also one important suggestion, RTA should also improve public bus services as such to coordinate with Metro train's stations so people will have easier and more access to public transportation and RTA should implement a one card that supports train and bus so people will be more enthusiastic using these means of transport stress free.
Christine de Ocera
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 17:13

Coming from a country where the tube is heavily used. My only concern would be the usage at busy times - the tubes are literally ram packed like sardines in a tin! The issue of free- mixing, more so for the women. I am a student coming for a years placement, so the metro definitely sorts out my problem for getting about! Good stuff UAE! If anyone wants to give me any hints before heading out please feel free to let me know. I have heard amazing stuff and so am really looking forward to the UAE!
Thamim
London,UK
Posted: April 15, 2009, 16:56

I think one point everybody is missing is that whether or not the Metro reduces traffic.. it will be another great addition to Dubai as a tourist destination as all tourists now only need to get to a metro station and they will be able to visit all the Tourist landmanrks of the city
Rizwan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 16:00

If there is easy transport available from railway station to your work place, then definitely the major main road traffic will reduce. Let's hope for the best.
Prakash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 14:01

This is a great milestone for Dubai. Of course the road traffic congestion would go down after this. People are looking forward for the start of metro. Thanks to Dubai, which is great.
Chetan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 13:15

Though we have mixed comments but certainly it will add up to the picturesque beauty of the city. It will attract a lot of people for sure and reduce traffic congestion gradually till people explore and plan their commuting as per metro station location. Most important is the long distance travel where it will save us from wasting time and stress surely it will help a lot of people. Very significant development - right time !
Abbas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:54

What I know is this city is full of good surprises and metro will be another great addition, I believe price will be a key factor as well as parking facility and other transport connetion will definitely add value. Once both the lines are operational, I am sure it will be the prefered medium to travel.
Mansour Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:23

Yes, Good Job RTA. I will be using the tain every day to my work.
Wael
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:21

I was going to buy a car once I could afford this, but the new Metro system will solve my transport problem. The small money I saved for the car has now been used to fix my parents leaking roof in our home country. The Metro is even improving the life of my parents and I can only hope they will be able to visit Dubai and ride the Metro. I am hoping I can carry my bicycle on the Metro so that I can reach my office from the last stop?
Louie Tedesco
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:14

If the price is right, Metro will be a success. If it is anything more than Dh3 for short trips and Dh6 for long trips, I wouldn't want it.
George Lopez
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:14

How long will it take to reach Jebel Ali from Ghusais and any need to change the train. The decision to use Metro depends on the time of travel.
Thomas Titty
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:14

The problem is too few people will be willing to give up their car and have to walk to and queue at stations. It is ideal if you live close to a station and want to travel to a destination close to a station, but those who need to travel further will take the car.
Gary Langthorne
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:06

I think its very difficult to say if people will give up their cars to use metro. The main reason is the hot weather of the country. Especially in summer, I don't think people will bother to walk even for 50 meters to get by the metro station.
Mohammad Mobin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:41

I don't think it would reduce the traffic. People from Sharjah and Ajman will come to the metro stations, that will increase the traffic on the road.
Sharif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:32

Great achievement.
Ziad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:28

It's an enormous change for the mass transport system of Dubai. Hope peoples attitude begins to change in favour of using the metro vs the car, when conveying around the corridor. Looking forward to using it someday.
Nadim
Perpignan,France
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:27

The impact of Metro on reduction of road traffic is minimal, at best 7 to 10 percent I think. We have noticed same in Tehran after start of metro and this can be noticed in all other major cities of the world with full metro networks. For those whose home/office metro connections are more convenient than their car would be an advantage. This is why great emphisis should be made on convenient accessability of the stations, especially on those humid, hot or dusty days where one is reluctunt to walk even 50 metres. Accessing the Deira central area or the shopping malls in Shaikh Zayed road would be the strong point of the Dubai metro. Dubai transport must make home to sation and office accessabilty easy and practical in order to be able to attract sufficeint amount of passengers to make the project successful, otherwise it would be a huge burdon.
Fareed
Tehran,Iran
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:16

i dont think so. because as an example there are no metro station everywhere. so you want to take a train, you must go to the station. if you are far away from the station, you have to take a taxi or bus.
Chaminda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:12

Great to hear that very soon Dubai Metro will be launched. Yes, certainly it will reduce traffic congestion. Metro will be used by public full fledged when stations will be connected with feeder buses. It will be a great help to the common public from various aspects i.e housing. One can spend quality time with their family. Yes, I will give up my car when metro is launched.
Durga Prasad A.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:59

Wonderful progress! I am just hoping it does prove to be a huge hit. We have to bear in mind most people working in Dubai, in places like Jebel Ali, Silicon Oasis, live in Sharjah and commute daily. However, there is no metro service linking Dubai and Sharjah. So my thoughts are, initially traffic will be diverted to the nearest station to Sharjah. Will be interesting to see how the city will cope with that.
Kazi Hoque
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:46

Yes ofcourse traffic will be reduced after this service and also all we are waiting for this service as soon as possible.
Fatima Ibrahim
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:36

Dubai Metro is an important milestone in Dubai. It will definately reduce traffic problems in Dubai provided the easy access from all metro stations to desired locations is made by RTA. Furthermore it is very much necessary to have direct access to companies in Jebel Ali free zone. Otherwise from metro stations to free zone gate and then to respective companies will make problems to working personnels and chances of diverting back to car driving will take place creating traffic issues again.
Shashishekhar Pachpute
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:21

Congratulations to RTA for doing an excellent job. Important thing is that that they are on shedule. As far mwselef is concerned me and my family will surely use the metro.
M. A. Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:16

But i live in Sharjah.
Rizwan Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:14

so how much will the fare from Al Garhoud to Shaikh Zayed Road be?
kenneth
dubai,phillipines
Posted: April 15, 2009, 10:13

YES. I don't have a car.
Bijumon.Attiyil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:49

this is a tough question, only time will tell that, because they said the same for Salik as when it was launched but experience tells that traffic has not eased as it was anticipated
Bilal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:48

Definitely it will reduce traffic congestion, however hoping that rates would be competitive enough to convince commuters to take dubai metro.
Erwin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:47

Yes the Metro is definetly WELCOMED. Yes I would leave my car at the train station.
Fadia Chaudhry
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:41

I don't think it would have any affect on the congestion as people in this part are not ready to wait on the stations and long queues. It would only shift some load from the buses in travel at present. If metro needs to be successful then they need to provide enough parking space at the stations and other facilities to ease the travelling.
Syed Maratab Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:40

Yes, I can only say wait and watch. Let's hope for the best. if there will not be lots of hassel in catching the metro i will definitely give up my car.
Suhail Esmail
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:40

No it will not because the connectivity between the residential and Indutrial or commercial areas seems to be missing.
Srikant
Chennai,India
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:38

will improve traffic as people will leave their car on outskirts
Ekram Ali Khan
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:38

Definitely. We are all waiting eagarly to see the Metro finally roll over on its wheels. No doubt, it will reduce congestion on roads. All credit goes to the commited work force who are working day and night behind the project to get things done on time.
Rajeev L.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:36

Most people are awaiting for the launching of the Metro Train and I think it will help a lot to ease the traffic as fewer people will abandon their cars. That will depend on how much the RTA will charge the pasengers.
Roberto Roy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:35

This will certainly ease up the traffic congestion as the commuters will have an alternative, hassle free and quick mode of transport (cheaper too as there will not be any salik charges). I am sure that i will opt for Metro if my destinations are well on the way, or even on walking distance from stations.
Faisal Nazir Maeik
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:35

Well, i just can't wait for the Metro to start. i am very sure that it will reduce the traffic congestion atl east up to some extent.
Hala Sharaf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:34

This is to be apprecaited and pubic is waiting for such useful facilty to travel i hope it will help reduce the traffic jams and productivity will increase also lot of time saving RTA have wonderful job by completing this work before time...BRAVO.
Aftab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:32

Yes for sure. It will reduce time, exersion and health problems especially for people working in Bur Dubai and Jebel Ali areas. But it can be better judged once launched as due to current global situation and recession, the number of commuters on road is already decreased. Authoritties should take special care of parking tickets, it should be very nominal and fare enough to justify the use of metro instead of personal vehicle.
Shamoon Ali
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 09:03

I will use metro to avoid traffic and reckless drivers! Instead I could do some work or read my book when I am on my way to or back home!
Sadi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 08:58

yes we can arrive time to time not for one day always via METRO SUPER CAR
Wasim Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 08:55

It will definitely reduce traffic in some areas. But the inportant things for this Dubai Metro are the benifits that it will give to the commuters. Car will be always be there for some personal and business functions.
Alvin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 08:51

Yes. This will definitely reduce the traffice congestion. I will give up my car once Dubai metro is launched.
Hazeena P
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 08:24

Hip Hip Hurray
Mushtaq Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 08:15

i thing traffice will reduce due to lack of fine for driver if the frequency is good then everybody will use train that will reduce timing
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 08:04

I think the Metro will reduce the traffic in Dubai. I do not think that I would give up my car; however I will probably use it less to commute around Dubai, which in return will help reduce traffic, pollution and car maintenance cost
Wissam Halawani
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 07:32

I don't think this would really reduce the traffic since people don't just need a car to go near the areas served by the metro. There are many like me who live in Sharjah and need it for going to other areas. Moreover, the taxi fares are not affordable.
Rabe?ei Ahmad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 07:29

I still won't give up my car but this is good news to both public and private passengers. This will ease up a lot of traffic. We can now wake up late than usual and still be on time for work. But mind you, this will not end here. RTA should plan ahead the traffic this metro will bring specifically in station areas.
Yah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 07:07

Of cource, this will be reduce traffic. i think company cars will be taken back or some company to allow car for going from metro station to working place.
Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 07:06

it will be a boon for commuters to leave cars at home and travel in plush interiored metro cars and work or read during journey time, reducing carbon footprints
Tejas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 07:06

It will ease the transportation for the puplic and traffic congestion will reduce for a big time without any problems.
Pradeep Premkumar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 05:19

This project is wonderful and will certainly help to relieve traffic congestion. I have visited Dubai twice and seen how the work is progressing - keep up the good job! In Santiago we have metro since 1978 that has been periodically extended and now covers a great part of this huge city of almost 6 million people. I don't know how we would survive without it. No expanding city can ever hope to use only road transport, a metro is essential. Best of all Dubai Metro opens on 9/9/09 - my birthday! and I hope to be there to celebrate the two events.
Josephine Pepper
Santiago,Chile
Posted: April 15, 2009, 03:34

I am a frequent visitor to Dubai for business and travel extensively for business within the city. Once the Metro starts, I will try to use it as much as I can thereby avoiding renting a car or hiring a cab. This will definitely reduce traffic congestion and will give lot of relief to the people commuting long distances such as Sharjah to Dubai etc. My hats off to Dubai Administration
Suresh Wadhwani
Banjul,The Gambia
Posted: April 15, 2009, 01:53

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