Al Sufouh is going to be Dubai’s first tram project
Al Sufouh Tram will become operational in 2012, complementing Dubai Metro with an equally trendy and comfortable mode of public transport.
Construction of the first phase of the ambitious project has started, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Tuesday.
The project, costing nearly Dh4 billion, is one of the most important projects of the RTA after Dubai Metro and will be completed by 2012, it said.
If the Dubai Metro stations look stunning with their seashell shape, stations of the Al Sofouh Tram will feature a unique diamond-shaped front design. The consortium of the France-based Alsotam and Belgium-based Besix has started construction work, Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Chairman, said.
Apart from the consortium, US-based Parsons and France-based Sistra are also engaged in the project.
The tram track will be laid along Al Sufouh Road but will have elevated sections in some areas of Dubai Marina.
The track will be parallel to Dubai Metro’s Red Line. Three tram stations will be linked with three metro stations on Shaikh Zayed Road via footbridges for passengers to change the mode of transport according to the destinations they want to go. Al Sufouh Tram will be linked to the Palm Monorail at the entrance of Palm Jumeriah from Sufouh Road for passengers travelling between the areas served by both projects.
The project will serve residential and commercial areas in Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence, the official said.
The tram will have a golden carriage (first class), a silver carriage for common people and another carriage for women and children.
Carriages will have top-class interiors and will be fitted with the latest data transmitting and display systems.
A modern and safe ground power cable system will supply power to the tram, and all stations will be fitted with central air-conditioning systems.
