Metro stations taking shape at the Expo 2020 route in Dubai.-Photo by Neeraj Murali
Dubai - The commercial operations are set to begin on May 20, 2020.
Published: Wed 10 Jul 2019, 8:00 PM
Updated: Fri 12 Jul 2019, 9:22 AM
Route 2020 construction is right on track. On Wednesday (July 10), Khaleej Times captured photos of new carriages being tested along the tracks of Al Furjan station, where external cladding works have been completed.
Back in March this year, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the trial run of carriages in May and tests shall continue until February 2020 "to ensure the readiness of the train and control systems" before the official opening of the project.
Route 2020 is set to begin commercial operations on May 20, 2020 - five months before the inauguration of the highly anticipated Dubai Expo 2020.
When completed, the 15km Metro extension will link the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station on the Metro's Red Line to the Expo 2020 site, passing through Dubai Investments Park, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan and Jumeirah Golf Estates. Route 2020 will not only facilitate the transport of millions of riders to the Expo site, but will also serve around 270,000 residents living in those fast-growing communities, according to authorities.
Design
As part of the Expo 2020 showcase, the Route 2020 station on-site features gold-rimmed wings that "reflect the city's journey towards the future through innovation".
The multi-level structure of the station comprises a ground floor, mezzanine, concourse, and a train platform level. It will serve the Expo 2020 site and its surroundings, extending from the Expo Village and Expo Mall to the west, and the Expo Yard towards the east.
The central corridor at the concourse level links pedestrian movement between the two sides of the station. It has been designed to handle the expected number of riders throughout the Expo run.
Other Route 2020 stations have been designed to match the existing stations, but the elevated and underground stations were tailored to have a higher capacity.
The elevated stations have an area ranging from 8,100 to 8,800 square metres, and the areas of the underground stations range from 27,000 to 28,700 square metres. The Expo Station has an area of 18,800 square metres.
"The interior design of the Metro stations reflect the four elements of nature: air, earth, fire and water and features futuristic elements," the RTA has said in a previous statement.
"Architectural finishing works of the station's lobby, as well as the installation of the footbridge linking the station with the parking area are underway," it added.
The expected capacity of Route 2020 is around 522,000 passengers per day in both directions, at a rate of 29,000 passengers per hour per direction.
The Dubai Metro Route 2020 will take passengers from Dubai Marina to the Expo site in under 16 minutes.
Back in November last year, 50 new Metro trains have arrived in Dubai, including 15 new carriages to serve Expo 2020.
Static tests of all operating systems of the trains have started, to be followed by dynamic tests that would involve an evaluation of the systems' performance while in motion.
Cost
Route 2020's total cost is Dh10.6 billion, including the construction of the railway extension and seven stations, as well as an upgrade to the existing Metro network.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
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