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Contractors are forming consortiums to bid for the contract to design and build the Dubai Metro’s new Blue Line.

The teams, each of which contain a rolling stock supplier, include:

• Siemens (Germany)/Samsung C+T (South Korea)/Larsen & Toubro (India)/Wade Adams (local)
• Alstom (France)/FCC (Spain)/China State Construction Engineering Corporation (China)
• China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC – China)/China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC – China)

The three teams had been preparing for the project to be tendered last year. Two of the teams have remained unchanged, while for the Siemens team, two of the team members have changed. Samsung has replaced Belgium’s Six Construct, and Wade Adams has replaced the local Alec.

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) issued a notice seeking expressions of interest from contractors for the design and build of the line in October. 

The project is expected to cost several billion dollars to develop. It is one of Dubai’s largest upcoming infrastructure schemes, requiring international contractors to work in a joint venture with local partners. 

The design and build contractor will be responsible for all civil works, electromechanical works, rolling stock and rail systems. The contractor will assist in maintenance and operations for an initial three-year period after the project is completed.

The Blue Line will connect the existing Red and Green lines. It will have a total length of 30 kilometres (km), 15.5km of which will be underground and 14.5km above ground.

The line will have 14 stations, seven of which will be elevated. There will be five underground stations, including one interchange station, and two elevated transfer stations connected to the existing Centrepoint and Creek stations.

The scope of the contract also includes the supply of 28 driverless trains, the construction of a depot to accommodate up to 60 trains, and the construction of all associated roads, facilities and utility diversion works.

The detailed scope of work for the project includes:

• Civil works, including detailed design and construction of architectural and structural components (viaducts, tunnels, stations, etc)
• Design and execution of electromechanical works
• Design, procurement and delivery of operation and control systems for rail, stations and facilities
• Design, manufacturing and supply of rolling stock