Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently agreed with contractors to significantly extend the Dubai Metro network by 20km, which will open a train line to International City and Dubai Silicon Oasis for the first time. The Dubai Metro extension will have 11 new stations, with more stops for the Green Line than the Red Line. The Green Line will extend from Al Jadaf to International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis all way over the creek through Dubai Creek Harbour to Academic City. The Red Line will extend from Rashidiya (now, Centrepoint) to Mirdif City Centre. The plan is in line with a proposal over ten years ago, intended to unlock parts of the city with few transport links. The plan is to expand the Green Line from its existing terminus at Al Jadaf across the Creek to Emaar's Dubai Harbour development and then onto Academic City. With the construction of one new stop, the Red Line would be extended by 3.5 kilometers from its present terminus at Rashidiya to Mirdif City Centre, a sizable suburban shopping center close to Dubai International Airport. At least four metro lines were initially planned. However, it was scaled back more than ten years ago. The existing Green Line stations are in Bur Dubai and Deira in the city's old town, while the Red Line cuts through the metropolis in a straight line, connecting the old town and airport to Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Expo 2020 in the far south-west. In May, the RTA did not comment on the new contracts but said it looked at how to "develop the infrastructure of road networks and means of transportation, including the expansion of Dubai Metro lines." According to a government report last year, Dubai's current population of 3.5 million is expected to increase to 5.8 million by 2040. New public transportation connections will be essential to handle that demand. BKM/ Expat Media
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