The new metro line that will serve the Dubai Expo 2020 site, located next to Al-Maktoum International airport in the Jebel Ali area, is expected to run along a utility corridor next to the existing Nakheel Harbour and Tower metro station.

Consultants involved in the study say they expect the line to run along the corridor that is currently used by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) for power lines running out of Jebel Ali power station.

The corridor runs between the Jumeirah Islands and Discovery Gardens developments between Sheikh Zayed Road and Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The line is then expected to pass Dubai Investments Park (DIP) and the Greens Community before heading to the Expo site and Al-Maktoum International airport.

In July, Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) awarded a joint venture of the US’ Parsons International and France’s Systra the contract to complete the preliminary engineering for the new metro line. Work on the study began in August.

It is understood the link could be a standalone system, meaning it could operate using different rolling stock and systems to the existing Green and Red lines of the Dubai Metro.

Another alignment that has been considered is an extension beyond Jebel Ali that will head inland to the Expo site. This solution would mean longer journey times to the Expo, and would provide fewer opportunities to build new stations for existing centres of population and industry.