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Shaikh Mohammad, Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Maktoum being given a tour of the Route 2020 construction site by Mattar Al Tayer. Image Credit: WAM

Dubai: Infrastructure projects that are being implemented in Dubai, and across the UAE, support the country’s comprehensive development approach, while strengthening the economy, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as he inspected the progress of Dubai Metro’s extension work.

Dh10.6b
cost of Route 2020 metro extension project

Touring the construction site of Route 2020 on Monday, Shaikh Mohammad said that UAE’s development approach is based on a high calibre model that considers the community’s happiness a strategic goal and at the forefront of its priorities.

An impression of the inside of a Route 2020 metro station. WAM

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, accompanied the Vice President as he took note of work that will see a 15km extension of the Red Line, leading to the Dubai Expo 2020 venue.

7 stations
and 50 new trains will service Route 2020

As he toured the site, Shaikh Mohammad was briefed about the project’s progress by Mattar Al Tayer, director general, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Covering seven stations, five elevated and two underground, work on Route 2020 is currently halfway through, with a completion rate of 53 per cent.

The total area of Route 2020’s elevated stations ranges from 8,100 and 8,800 square metres, while the size of underground station will vary from 27,000 to 28,700 square metres.

The Dubai Expo 2020 station will occupy an area of 18,800 square metres, with a maximum capacity of handling 522,000 passengers per day.

15km
extension of Dubai Metro’s Red Line, including 11.8km of elevated and 3.2km of underground tracks

Continuing with the design theme of existing Dubai Metro stations, the interior of the new stations are inspired by nature’s four elements: air, earth, fire and water.

Shaikh Mohammad said that earmarking 21 per cent of Dubai government’s budget for infrastructure development highlights its importance.

He hailed the efforts of the RTA in implementing projects to keep abreast with economic and social development goals of Dubai.

The Vice-President said that the RTA is carrying out these projects in a way that achieves the strategic goals of UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021. He pointed out that RTA projects are expected to have a positive effect, particularly the undertakings related to Dubai Expo 2020.

Shaikh Mohammad was also briefed about the elevated section of Route 2020, which is 83 per cent completed and is due to be ready by late November, while a set of new trains will also begin rolling in from November.

Later, Shaikh Mohammad was also briefed about an upgrade of Latifa Bint Hamdan and Umm Al Sheif roads, being developed at a cost of Dh800 million. The project links the Jumeirah area with Latifa Bint Hamdan Street and adjacent roads in Al Quoz, through a network of bridges.

Part of the elevated corridor, with a total length of 7.4km, passes along Shaikh Zayed Road, without adding to the volume of vehicles on the highway or disturbing its traffic flow.

Route 2020

• 15km extension
• 11.8km elevated
• 3.2km underground
• 7 stations
• 50 new trains
• Dh10.6 billion cost