Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has received final offers from the two shortlisted bidding groups for the contract to design and build the new metro link connecting to the Expo 2020 site. Spain’s Acciona, Turkey’s Gulermak, and France’s Alstom submitted the lowest offer at AED10.07bn, which is 3.5% lower than the offer presented by Japan’s Obayashi, Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC; Athens-based), and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The RTA selected the two shortlisted bidders in April after evaluating bids from five groups. Initial prices were opened on 6 March. The scheme, known as Route 2020, involves building a 15-kilometre-long line branching off the existing Red Line at the Nakheel Harbour & Tower station. The line will also connect to Al-Maktoum International airport. c11km of the line will be elevated, with five elevated stations and two underground ones. (MEED)