SYSTRA & AECOM win the Dubai Tram extension
The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai has just awarded phases 2 and 3 for the extension of their iconic Light Rail Transit system to SYSTRA, a world leader in the design of transport infrastructures. Specialising in consulting and engineering the group provide populations throughout the world with solutions for metros, tramways, high speed lines and classic railways.
SYSTRA, in association with AECOM, an American multinational engineering firm that provides design, consulting, construction, and management services, will take charge of transport planning, preliminary design and invitations to tender for the second and third phases for 14 months.
The Dubai Tram
Phase 2 of the Dubai Tram will span 6km and include 9 stations and a passing loop to improve efficiency. It will serve the town’s main attractions, including Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al-Arab, as well as the Mall of Emirates renowned as the greatest shopping mall in the United Arab Emirates. On the opposite side of Cheikh Zayed Road, the Mall of Emirates is connected to the project zone through the Red Line metro station.
Managed by Dubai Holding, the Jumeirah Central Project is a huge investment and was launched by the Governor of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Phase 3 will run for 16.6km and include 19 stations. It will serve the Jumeirah Beach Road to the north-west of Dubai. The route crosses projects already underway, such as the one-way road system. Consequently, the area between Jumeirah Road and the Al Wasl district is being totally redefined and this will integrate into the feasibility study for the design of Phase 3.
In the Emirate, SYSTRA has already signed the design of the automated metro (two lines opened in 2009 & 2011) and the first phase of the Dubai tram, inaugurated in November 2014. Last September, the first stone of the metro extension was laid and is planned for completion in 2020.
Phase 1 of the Tram project was inaugurated by H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai on November 11th 2014. Running 9.5 km with 2.6 km along viaducts the project included 11 stations, 4 of which are elevated.
Dubai Tram is the first tram system outside of Europe which is powered by the “Alimentation par le Sol II” (APS II) ground-level power supply system which means the tram lines do not need any overhead cables.
Another first, the Dubai Tram will be the world’s first tram network utilising automatic platform screen doors at its stations.
Dubai Tram video by Nick Brown
