Dubai: The buzzword for the Dubai Metro project is now "9-9-9", referring to the completion date of the first phase - the Red Line - which is fast approaching. The line is set to start operation on September 9, 2009.
The Dh15.5 billion Dubai Metro Project, the world's largest automated - and thus driverless - metro system, is in the 31st month of its construction out of a total 49 months.
"We are right on schedule and have achieved a number of milestones ahead of time," said Engineer Adnan Ahmad Al Hammadi, Director of the Dubai Metro Construction Department at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). "People in Dubai will see the trains running on the test track on Shaikh Zayed Road by the end of April," Al Hammadi said.
Some of the upcoming milestones are finishing of underground stations, completion of elevated stations and the beginning of construction work on the Green Line tunnels. Two more power stations will be commissioned, metal track laid for trains and pedestrian bridges at all stations will be built.
One of the major milestones achieved so far is the completion of tunnelling work for the underground portion of the Red Line. The challenging task consisted of boring the tunnel under Dubai Creek and the Dnata building.
The first main power station became operational on schedule early this year, and will provide electricity to the Red Line.
"Despite the extension of the Green Line by 4.9km, we are determined to start the operation on schedule," Al Hammadi told Gulf News.
