Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has invited consultancy firms to submit bids for the design contract of the next extension of the Route 2020 Metro line, reinforcing the emirate’s long-term strategy to expand its public transport network and improve connectivity to major growth hubs.

The proposed extension will run from the existing Expo 2020 Metro Station to the West Terminal of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), the future centrepiece of Dubai’s aviation and logistics ecosystem. The new stretch will be approximately 3 km and will include two new stations, a MEED report said.

The RTA has set the deadline for submitting the bids in mid-March, the report said. 

The authority is expected to oversee the project’s planning, design co-ordination and integration with Dubai Metro’s existing infrastructure, in line with its wider mandate to develop sustainable and efficient mobility solutions across the emirate.

The Route 2020 line currently spans 15 km and branches off the Red Line at Jebel Ali Metro Station. It includes 11.8 km of elevated track and 3.2 km of underground tunnels, serving a total of seven stations – five elevated and two underground – connecting key residential, commercial and exhibition areas to the Dubai Metro network.

Meanwhile, RTA has signed an agreement with Emaar Properties to expand Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, in response to the sustained growth in passenger demand. On completion, the station’s total area will increase from 6,700 sq m to 8,500 sq m with bigger station entrances and pedestrian bridges to facilitate smoother passenger access, expand concourse and platform areas. 

Following the completion of the expansion works, the station’s passenger handling capacity will increase from 7,250 to 12,320 passengers per hour, taking its daily capacity to 220,000 passengers, it stated.