Partial metro closure starting this weekend

Starting this weekend, Dubai Metro’s Red Line will be partially closed on Fridays and Saturdays for 10 weeks so it can be linked to the under-construction Route 2020, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced.

The RTA will offer free shuttle service along the closed section between Jumeirah Lakes Towers station and Ibn Battuta station for the duration of the work till October 14.

Work on the 15km Route 2020, which is an extension of the Red Line, began late last year, connecting the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station with the Expo 2020 site.

“The closure is required to proceed with works related to Route 2020 project,” said Mohammad Abu Baker Al Hashmi, director of Planning and Business Development, RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

“Commuters heading towards the UAE Exchange station need to get off at JLT station, take a free bus ride to Ibn Battuta station and then continue their journey by metro in the direction of the UAE Exchange station.

“Riders travelling in the direction of Al Rashidiya station need to get off at Ibn Battuta station, take free bus rides to JLT station and then continue their journey on the metro in the direction of Al Rashidiya.”

The Dh10.6 billion project is expected to be ready by the end of 2019 and will be scheduled to open for public from May 20, 2020.

According to the plan, a separate station will be built next to the existing Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station, which will serve as an interchange station, connecting the Red Line with the Route 2020.