Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport (DoT) says that three major contracts have been signed for the planned metro and tram networks.

The US’ Aecom has signed the contract for the consultancy on the metro project. The metro will serve Abu Dhabi island and will also connect the city’s downtown areas with Abu Dhabi International airport. The metro is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

Another major project planned for the capital is a light railway network. A Spanish group of Sener and Typsa has signed the contract for the consultancy for the tram project. The tram system will comprise 340 kilometres of track and will connect with the metro network. The tram is due for completion in 2014.

US-based Fluor Corporation won the contract to manage the emirate’s transport network in January. Fluor will now supervise the development and construction of the metro and light rail systems.

These projects are part of the DoT’s $68bn transport masterplan that will see the emirate develop an integrated public transport system that will comprise metro and tram networks, road upgrades and also bus and water taxi networks.

The DoT is expected to award the contract for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in October (MEED 6:9:10). The ITS projects are aimed at improving the safety, operation and maintenance of the surface transport systems in Abu Dhabi, such as roads, metro, tram, maritime and aviation.