Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority is in discussions with local property developer Nakheel about connecting Discovery Gardens to the Dubai Metro network.

The discussions are part of broader discussions over the alignment of the new metro line that will link to the Dubai Expo 2020 site located next to Al-Maktoum International airport in the Jebel Ali area.

The line is planned to run from the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station area on the existing red line inland along a utility corridor between Nakheel’s Discovery Gardens and Jumeirah Islands developments. It is understood that the discussions involve the prospect of building a series of stations along the line serving Discovery Gardens.

The roads around Discovery Gardens are heavily congested during peak hours and alternative modes of transport for residents should reduce the volume of traffic.

Once the line as passed Discovery Gardens, it is then expected to pass Dubai Investments Park (DIP) and the Greens Community before heading to the Expo site and Al-Maktoum International airport. MEED reported in October that this is the most likely route for the metro line.

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.