DWC to develop $33b lightrail transport system

Dubai: To help the estimated million or so residents of Dubai World Central (DWC) move freely around the 140-kilometre city-within-a-city, a staggering $33 billion is being spent on developing a substantial transport network.

Grand Central will be DWC's transport hub and will be located at the centre of Commercial City.

DWC will have its own lightrail system, eventually linking to the Dubai Metro at Grand Central.

The lightrail system will have about five stations in Residential City, three in Commercial City and two in Golf City.

The DWC's internal rail system promises to prevent traffic congestion and be more environmentally friendly. Dubai transport officials recently said that when the Dubai Metro is complete, it will reduce traffic by 17 per cent.

This will be a welcome relief for all residents who spend hours stuck in traffic every day.

Khalid Harib Bin Harib, chief executive of real estate, DWC, said: "People who live in Residential City can easily get to work in Commercial City or to the airport, and will not have to use their cars. Grand Central is where we link all the components."

This transport system will follow Nakheel's ambitious $381 million monorail on Palm Jumeirah and the lightrail system in Downtown Burj Dubai.