Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the tunnel drilling works of the Route 2020 metro project.

The route will add 15 km to the Dubai Metro Red Line from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed also reviewed the interior design of the new rolling stock of the Dubai Metro and the progress of the project.

He was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, on the progress of work on Route 2020.

A tunnel boring machine named Al Wugeisha Expo 2020 will pass across the underground station near Jumeirah Golf Estates in January next year, according to a statement by UAE state news agency WAM.

Sheikh Mohammed launched the operation of the tunnel boring machine to start drilling works. The tunnel starts at Discovery Gardens and stretches 3.2 km to The Green Community. It features depths ranging from 12.5 to 36 metres.

“In December 2018, all tunnel drilling works will be completed,” WAM reported. “The first of the new Dubai Metro rolling stock will arrive in July 2018, and construction work for the metro viaducts will be completed in November next year. All railway works of Route 2020 will be completed in July 2019, and the trial run of the metro will start in February 2020.”

Sheikh Mohammed was also shown the new interior design of the Dubai Metro carriages, which are being manufactured in France under a contract for the supply of 50 trains: 15 for serving Expo 2020 and 35 for upgrading the service of the Dubai Metro.