DUBAI -- Dubai's plans for construction of a two-line, 72-kilometer light rail system for the city are gathering pace, as the project enters its second stage of tendering, say officials close to the project. Tenders for major construction works are expected to be issued by Dubai Municipality early next month, setting the stage for actual groundbreaking on the project as early as April of 2005. The First phase will finish within 48 months, according to sources.
Together with urban public transport experts from Jordan, Syria, Iran, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Nasser Saeed, chairman of Dubai Light Rail, will address a meeting at the upcoming Smart Move public transport event, taking place in Dubai from Oct. 12-14 at Dubai's Crown Plaza Hotel.
"Dubai Light Rail will be a serious topic of discussion for attendees at this year's Smart Move event, but there are other substantial regional projects under discussion as well, among them major urban transport initiatives in Amman, Damascus, and Tehran," said Davyd Farrell, project manager of IIR's Smart Move conference.
The event will feature presentations from international figures and leading municipal authorities and will explore design and planning of integrated urban transport systems, construction and implementation, and the ongoing maintenance and management process. Dubai Municipality, Dubai Transport, and Emirates Transport are all associated sponsors.
The event will feature bus and component suppliers, railway and metro suppliers, consultants, infrastructure providers, fare collection systems, signaling and traffic control systems, telecoms, rolling stock and track maintenance, contractors and civil designers and engineers.
Conference delegates will see the latest in urban transport technology, hear about the latest in regional public transport developments, meet the region's leading public transport officials, and source new suppliers. There will be a strong emphasis on networking and contact making.
© Arab News 2004
