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The meeting was attended from the RTA by the CEOs and senior officials and from the French side by officials from the public & private sector.
At the outset of the meeting, Al Tayer welcomed the French Minister and hailed the historical relations linking the two countries, the booming mutual trade exchanges, the joint investments in all fields, and the growing visits of tourist delegations from the two friendly peoples. Al Tayer also praised the performance of French companies undertaking a number of RTA projects.
He reflected on projects undertaken by French companies for the RTA at an estimated cost of 6 billion dirham, most of which are in rail projects.
He noted that among the key projects awarded to French companies is Sufouh Tram, which was won by the consortium between the French Alstom, the Belgium Besix, the British Serco and the American Parsons Delo, which will undertake detailed design works.
The project, which costs about 4 billion dirham, spans 14 km alongside Sufouh Road, linking Madinat Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates with Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence.
It has 19 passenger stations spread over activity and population density areas along the tram line.
The path of Sufouh Tram links up with the Red Line of Dubai Metro at three stations at Sheikh Zayed Road; which are also linked with footbridges.
It also intersects with the monorail of Palm Jumeirah at the entrance of the Palm at Sufouh Road.
The remaining projects carried out by French companies are centered on Dubai Metro project works.
Al Tayer said that he was looking forward for the involvement of more French Companies; particularly those specialized in roads sector.
"RTA plans over the next five years encompasses many road & crossing projects across Dubai Creek costing more than 40 billion dirham, and that will be a good opportunity for companies to bid for tenders offered by the RTA".
During the meeting a brief presentation was made about the RTA, the challenges faced and how RTA is working on figuring out proper solutions.
Challenges include traffic safety, traffic jams, increasing the share of mass transit in daily trips made by individuals, and proceeding with the implementation of the existing projects.
Al Tayer further said:
"The development plan encompasses implementation of metro & tram systems at the highest global standards, development of mass transit system by buses & marine transport, and broadening the use modern technologies capable of ensuring optimum utilization of roads network and transport systems. These include the Toll Gate system, Dynamic Navigation system (Dalili), Intelligent Traffic Systems, and introduction of various transport & planning policies capable of bringing about a positive change in the behaviours of users of road networks & transport systems. It also includes introduction of a comprehensive traffic education & culture scheme based on developing awareness methodologies & patterns so as to reach all sectors of the community".
Al Tayer reviewed the key project underway at the RTA costing more than Dhs30bn.
"This includes road projects costing about 12 billion dirham, and Dubai Metro project; which is the longest driverless metro project in the world carried out as one project. Total cost of the two lines (Red & Green Line) is Dhs15bn.
In addition to that mass transit system is being upgraded through procuring more than 2500 eco-friendly buses (articulated & double-deck) manufactured at the highest global standards. About 1000 air-conditioned bus shelters are being built for the use of bus commuters across the emirate. In Marine Transport RTA is planning to develop marine transport modes; which were restricted to traditional abras.
This is driven by the development process witnessed by the emirate, particularly the massive marine projects such as the Palm projects and the new waterfronts.
RTA already launched the water bus, and is planning to launch the water taxi next year, and the ferry, which has a capacity of more than 100 passengers, in 2010.
Commenting on the meeting Her Excellency Mrs. Anne-Marie Idrac, Minister of State in charge of Foreign Trade, said that she was hugely impressed with the projects undertaken by the RTA, particularly in mass transit field such as Dubai Metro, Suffouh Tram and public transport projects.
She also hailed the ability of the RTA to implement projects in record time, and anticipated that RTA would be able to deliver Dubai Metro Project ahead of schedule, judged by the fast-moving construction works in the project.
At the end of the meeting H.E. Matar Al Tayer extended an invitation to the French Minister to attend Dubai Metro launch celebrations, where the first stage is set to be operated on 9/9/2009. The French Minister promised to honour the invitation and attend this historical landmark in the emirate.
Posted by Eman Hassan
