Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport (DoT) has extended the closing date to 5 November for prequalified consulting firms to submit bids for an 18-month study into the emirate’s proposed tram system.

The project, known as the Abu Dhabi Light Rail Transit (LRT)/Tram study, involves 340 kilometres of tram lines and is one of several major transportation projects that make up the Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP). The department expects the LRT to start operating in 2014.

The selected consultant will help the department assess the feasibility and financial viability of the project, as well as prepare initial designs for the stations and other technical specifications.

The closing date extension gives the department more time to award the consultancy role on the proposed metro project, which will connect with the tram network (MEED 4:9:09).

The department is also evaluating bids from firms to programme manage Abu Dhabi’s surface transport masterplan which includes the metro, tram, roads and water transport networks.