Six Global Firms Bid for Dubai Airport Express Line Design Contract
Six international consortiums have submitted bids to Dubai's RTA for the study and design contract of the new 55-kilometre Airport Express Line, connecting Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) air
Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has received proposals from six global groups for the study and design contract of the new Airport Express Line. This significant infrastructure project aims to establish a direct rail link between Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Garhoud and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali.
The proposed line will span approximately 55 kilometres and feature five stations. It is designed to enhance passenger convenience by incorporating facilities for remote airline check-in, baggage drop-off, and security screening directly at the stations.
Project Route and Key Connections
The new Airport Express Line is planned to start from the Red Line metro station at DXB, proceeding through Al-Jaddaf. It will then run along Al-Khail Road to a new station at Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), before continuing to DWC. The project also includes two spur lines:
- The first spur will connect the new JVC station to Al-Fardan Exchange metro station, located near Emirates Golf Club.
- The second spur will extend towards Business Bay, where an additional station is slated for construction.
This proposed route appears to align closely with the Etihad Rail high-speed railway project, currently under construction and anticipated for completion by 2030.
Bidding Consortiums
The six groups that have submitted proposals to the RTA include a mix of international engineering and consultancy firms:
- Aecom / Surbana Jurong (US/Singapore)
- AtkinsRealis (Canada)
- Jacobs (US)
- Parsons / Arup (US/UK)
- Systra / Egis (France)
- WSP (Canada)
This Airport Express Line project is one of several metro expansions tendered by the RTA this year. The authority has also initiated a request for qualification for the new Gold Line, further extending Dubai's metro network.
Questions, answered
- What is the purpose of the Dubai Airport Express Line?
- The Dubai Airport Express Line is designed to connect Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Garhoud with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali, providing a dedicated rail link for passengers.
- How long will the new Airport Express Line be and how many stations will it have?
- The proposed line will stretch approximately 55 kilometres and include five main stations, offering facilities such as remote airline check-in and baggage drop-off.
- Which areas will the Airport Express Line serve?
- The line will run from DXB, through Al-Jaddaf, along Al-Khail Road to a new station at Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), and then to DWC. It will also have spur lines connecting to Al-Fardan Exchange metro station and Business Bay.
- Which companies are bidding for the design contract?
- Six international groups have submitted proposals: Aecom / Surbana Jurong, AtkinsRealis, Jacobs, Parsons / Arup, Systra / Egis, and WSP.
- What other metro projects are currently being tendered by the RTA?
- In addition to the Airport Express Line, the RTA has also issued a request for qualification for a contract to build the new Gold Line as part of its ongoing Dubai Metro network expansion.
This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.
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