60pc of steel works at Metro Depot completed

Not only will the long stretches of concrete viaducts and columns be commonplace but also the curved steel structures for the stations. The steel structures can already be seen at Dubal and Jebel Ali Industrial stations.

The Dubai Metro will have 24 elevated stations along the viaduct section of the Red Line. The stations have been designed to reflect the modern metropolis of Dubai.

Distinctive curved roofs are the signature of the new metro, with the elevated station having large shell-shaped roofs evoking the pearl diving heritage. Generally the elevated stations are elliptical in shape with the principle design philosophy being to wrap the station around the tracks.

Engineer Adnan Al Hammadi, Director of Construction Department, Rail Agency said recently, “All stations are set up within curved steel-framed enclosure. Nearly 25,000 tonnes of steel will be used for the stations, most of which will be fabricated in Malaysia and Singapore. Over 3,000 tonnes have been fabricated, with nearly 1,500 tonnes already delivered to Dubai.

“Erection of the steel structures for the elevated stations started in October last year at Jebel Ali Industrial Station. Steel works started at Dubal Station recently. More than 2,500 labourers are currently employed for the construction of the stations.

The number is anticipated to increase significantly as the works gather momentum. Approximately 5,000 tonnes of steelwork will be used for the construction of the depots.”

In keeping with the ambitious goals of the project to deliver the most advanced rail network in the world, the stations would have a number of distinctive features. These included eye-catching five star architectural finishes with unique themes of earth, water, fire and air and state-of-the-art lighting, including ambient and feature lighting.