Dubai has taken another significant step forward in tackling its ongoing traffic problems by starting the procurement process for a new metro link known as the Gold Line.

The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai. It will run parallel to – and alleviate pressure on – the existing Red Line, before heading inland to Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village and residential developments in Dubailand.

As a first step, the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has sent a request for proposals (RFP) to firms for the lead consultancy role on the multibillion-dollar project.

May deadline

The RFP's closing date is in May, and its scope is similar to that of the lead consultancy role for the ongoing Blue Line project.

The contract covers stage one, the concept design; stage two, the preliminary design; and stage three, preparing tender documents. An optional stage four covers construction supervision, and stage five covers the defects and liability period.

The prospective bidders include US-based Aecom, Canada’s AtkinsRealis, US-based Jacobs, UK-based Mott MacDonald, US-based Parsons and France’s Systra.

The Gold Line consultancy tender follows on from the award of the construction contract for the Blue Line at the end of last year, reflecting the growing congestion on Dubai's roads and the rising popularity of the metro.

On 19 December, the RTA awarded a AED20.5bn ($5.5bn) main contract for the construction of the Blue Line to a consortium of Turkiye’s Limak Holding; Mapa Group, also of Turkiye; and the Hong Kong office of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation.

The Blue Line will connect the existing Red and Green lines. It will be 30 kilometres (km) long, 15.5km 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.

According to an official statement, the Blue Line will have a capacity of 46,000 passengers an hour in both directions.

The project is scheduled for completion in September 2029.