Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a contract for the Route 2020 metro expansion with Expolink, a consortium of French, Spanish and Turkish companies.

The Dh10.6 billion ($2.8 billion) contract covers the extension of the Red Line of the Dubai Metro 15 km from Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020, as well as the supply of 50 trains.

The extended line, spanning 15 km comprises an 11.8-km viaduct and a 3.2-km underground track. The project encompasses seven stations including a transfer station with the Red Line, Expo Station, three elevated stations, and two underground stations. 

Alstom will supply 50 trains: 15 for the Expo, and 35 for upgrading the service of the metro, and also handle electromechanical works. Acciona and Gulermack will handle civil works, while the French Thales Group will be in charge of the technological systems.

The new service will be launched in the first quarter of 2020, five months before the expo opens.