Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has invited expressions of interest from major companies and consortiums for the construction of a metro line connecting the existing Red Line on Sheikh Zayed Road from Nakheel Harbour and Tower to the site of World Expo 2020.

The extension will be an integral part of the existing Metro Red Line, said RTA. Under the new Route 2020 plan, the total length of the Dubai Metro lines (red and green) will increase to 90 km, and the total length of rail network in Dubai will be 101 km (90 km metro lines, 11 km tram lines), it added.

The RTA aims to make the new route operational by the beginning of 2020.

The design-and-build project involves construction of a 15-km-long metro line, of which 11 km will be an elevated structure consisting of five stations and 4 km will be underground with two stations.

The scope of work includes civil works including detailed design, architecture and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services involving earthwork, viaducts, bored tunnel and stations; railway systems; and rolling stock supply. As per the timeline set, the project is expected to be released for tendering next July, he added.