Route 2020 over 70pc completed

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said work on the extension of Dubai Metro Red Line from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020 was moving at a steady pace with over 70 per cent of the project already completed.

The extension work is being undertaken by Expolink Consortium, led by French technology major Alstom along with its partners Spain’s Acciona and Gulermak of Turkey.

The consortium had signed a contract with RTA to design and build the extension of the Red metro line and upgrade the system of the existing line.

Alstom chairman and CEO (France) Henri Poupart-Lafarge recently met RTA director-general and chairman Mattar Al Tayer when they reviewed the progress on the manufacturing of trains by Alstom, covering the supply of 50 trains.

As per the plan, all rail works of Route 2020 Project are expected to be completed this month (May), and the trial run of the metro on the extended line is likely to commence in February 2020.

Deal inked for $272m mall

Dubai-based Meraas and Singapore-based Chinese company Samanea Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of a Dh1-billion  (272.26 million) mall near Dubai International City.  The project is set for completion by Q2 2021.

Samanea Group is to develop the 570,000-sq-ft retail outlet, which will focus on home appliances and furniture from small, medium and big Chinese businesses seeking a foothold in the GCC market.  The mall will also have space for 1,800 parking spaces.

Headquartered in Singapore, Samanea Group supports small businesses through hosting them in professional trade centres in key markets that offer marketing, logistics, financial and networking opportunities.

Work starts on Abu Dhabi road

Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) said it has started construction work of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Road (Eastern Mangroves Road) Improvements project at an estimated cost of Dh97 million ($26.4 million).

 All enabling works have been completed, and the company is currently engaged in transferring intervening utility lines and widening the road in collaboration and coordination with relevant authorities.

Around 600 workers are engaged in this important project and will be operating round-the-clock to deliver the project within 165 days.