Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is now considering combining into one package the Dubai Metro Red line extension from its terminus in Rashidiya to Mirdif City Centre and the extension of the Dubai Metro Green line, according to sources with knowledge of the project.

The Green Line extension, which will take it from its existing terminus at Creek station in the Jadaf area, across the Creek to the Dubai Creek Harbour development and then onto Academic City, will have 11 stations.

The Red Line extension, which will extend 3.5km long, will only have one station.

MEED understands the tender for the consultancy contract including concept and preliminary design for the package is expected to be released in early 2018.

MEED earlier reported that  RTA is considering developing the 11 stations on the Green Line extension using a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Up to four stations are also envisaged to become transit-oriented development (TOD) projects that will feature hotels and retail shops.

It is not clear if the rest of the metro packages such as the track works, signalling and telecoms will likewise be offered to the market as PPPs.

MEED also earlier reported that RTA was considering whether to release a tender for the Red Line extension or award the project to the team  currently working on the Route 2020 metro link.

The latest development appears to indicate that RTA could have decided against either of the aforementioned options.