If awarded the contract by the Department of Transport, the consortium will carry out a feasibility study and outline design for the metro, followed by a detailed design of the network and its stations. The group comprises US-based Aecom, Germany’s DB International and US-based Parsons Brinckerhoff.

The consortium will also oversee the project once building work begins (MEED 28:8:09).

The other bidders shortlisted for the contract were UK-based Atkins with Australia’s Bovis Lend Lease; Lebanon’s Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners), France’s Egis and two Spanish firms, Gestisa and Ineco Tifsa; a consortium led by UK-based Mott MacDonald with US-based Parsons International and the UK’s Halcrow; the Adim consortium of France’s Coteba, Lebanon’s Khatib & Alami and four German firms, Obermeyer, ILF Consulting Engineers, Hamburg Consult and Dornier; and a consortium led by France’s Systra with UK-based Arup, Denmark’s Cowi and UK-based Foster & Partners.

The Department of Transport plans to build a metro system with two circular lines. The first will serve Abu Dhabi International airport, Al-Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi Island, Saadiyat Island and Yas Island. The second will connect Abu Dhabi Island, Mussafah and Mohammed bin Zayed City.