Two companies in race for City of Arabia monorail

15 February 2006

Dubai: Malaysia's Mtrans and Canada's Bombardier are in the final leg of talks for an estimated Dh587 million contract for a 16-kilometre "automatic people mover" or mini monorail project at the City of Arabia, said a top official.

"Out of the five bidders, negotiations are going on with the two and we hope to make a decision soon," Anwar Sher, director of City of Arabia, said yesterday.

One of them is expected to be awarded the contract once technical and pricing details are agreed.

The monorail will have 14 stations in the development and will connect to the Blue Line of Dubai's Light Rail Transit project.

City of Arabia's development cost is likely to reach Dh22 billion, requiring Dh7.3 billion investment by developers Elyas and Mustafa Galadari Group.

Infrastructure bidders
Bids for the City Arabia's estimated Dh1 billion infra-structure package have been received and five companies are in the race.

"Request for proposals has gone out to five pre-qualified bidders. We hope to close the bid next month and award contracts by this summer. City of Arabia will be up and running by the middle of 2008," he said.

The developer has also awarded some contracts for a power and water recycling project for the 1.4 kilometre Wadi Walk lake and Restless Planet theme park, part of City of Arabia. Siemens has won the substation contract.

The project, which will house 28,000 people in 8,200 homes, is part of Dubailand a mega tourism project that is expected to attract Dh65 billion in total investment.

The project, which will house Mall of Arabia the world's largest shopping mall with 1,200 retail outlets is expected to attract 30 million people annually.

The enabling and piling contract worth over Dh100 million has been awarded to the Middle East Foundation.

"More than 52 per cent of the retail area has been rented out and another 20 per cent is under final negotiations with branded retailers," he said.

Its theme park, Restless Planet, will have four major rides, and may charge Dh150 for all the entertainment, good for four hours.

City of Arabia has placed orders for the rides and equipment, including 109 animotronics electronic dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures.

Some dinosaurs, being made in Japan, will move and interact with visitors.