Metro extension work gathers steam

Work on Route 2020, a 15km-long extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line, has gathered steam with seven per cent work already completed, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said while inspecting the constructions sites that several stations have seen significant progress.

During the visit, Al Tayer inspected the Concrete Batching Yard where concrete segments of the metro viaduct are produced together with supporting pillars of 2.2-metre diameter to 2.6-metre diameter.

Abdul Rida Abu Al Hassan, executive director of Rail Projects Planning and Development at RTA’s Rail Agency, briefed Al Tayer and other officials about the progress in work.

So far, more than 200 piles have been inserted at depths ranging from 25 metres to 30 metres at Expo and Al Furjan sites, while 20 pillars of about 7 metres in height have been cast.

“Casting the pillars of the metro viaduct is a landmark achievement in the progress of the project. This step marks the emergence of the project components, rendering it visible to road users and residents of the neighbourhood,” said Al Tayer.

Route 2020 stretches for 15km from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station on the Red Line to the site of Expo 2020.

The route runs on 11.8km elevated track and 3.2km underground, supported by seven stations, including an interchange station, a station at the Expo site, three elevated stations and two underground stations.

source: GULF NEWS