Consortiums will submit prequalification documents for the design-and-build of the new metro link connecting to the Dubai Expo 2020 site today.

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) said at a briefing on 7 May that it will evaluate documents during June and a shortlist of prequalified bidders will be announced on 30 June. The contract will then be tendered on 2 July, with a closing date of 6 December. An award is planned for 28 January 2016.

The firms that have been invited to prequalify include systems, rolling stock and construction companies, which will be expected to form multi-discipline consortiums.

Civil construction and systems integration will be the most important factors when the RTA evaluates the capabilities of consortiums, with each accounting for 25 out of the total 100 points on offer. Rolling stock will account for 20 points, and system supply and financing capabilities will account for 15 points each. Major European, Far Eastern and local firms are forming consortiums for the design-and-build contract.

The scheme, known as Route 2020, involves building a 15-kilometre-long line branching off the existing Red Line at the Nakheel Harbour & Tower station, between the Ibn Battuta Mall and Jumeirah Lake Towers stations.

About 11km of the line will be elevated, with five elevated stations and two underground stations.

In July 2014, the 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.