One of the firms behind the construction of Dubai Metro says it would be interested in becoming involved in its expansion if, as reports suggest, the project is back on track.
The project was initially put on hold as a result of the economic crisis but just recently Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), was quoted in Khaleej Times as saying Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has endorsed the expansion plans.
Both the Red and Green lines are to be extended and three new lines – Blue, Gold and Purple – are set to be running by 2030.
Land has already been acquired for widening the existing network, while the new rail routes and infrastructure will be built over three phases, bringing the total number of stations to 197.
VSL, which was subcontracted onto Dubai Metro as part of a consortium called VFR with Freyssinet and Rizzani de Eccher between 2006 and 2009, says it is monitoring expansion developments.
Stephen Burke, VSL Middle East deputy general manager, said: “We worked on the first one and we’ll be hoping to get an invitation on the second one for sure. We’d be interested in that…nothing tentative yet has come out but certainly it’s on our radar, for sure.”
After being awarded a contract from main contractor Obayashi, VFR was responsible for precasting the concrete elements of the viaduct and erecting them.
Burke believes an expanded Dubai Metro would be a boost for the emirate given the success of the Red and Green lines.