US firm Parsons bags infrastructure contract for Dubai Expo 2020 site

US-based firm Parsons announced that it has been awarded the infrastructure design and construction supervision services contract for the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Under the deal, Parsons will be responsible for designing, monitoring, managing and delivering the project’s infrastructure.

The host venue for the six-month long event – running from October 2020 to April 2021 – stretches from Dubai Trade Centre to Jebel Ali.

The 438-hectare site includes a dedicated gated 150-hectare expo area and a surrounding residential, hospitality and logistics zone.

The exhibition site is designed to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors, with average week-day attendance expected at 153,000.

“Given the magnitude and distinctiveness of Dubai Expo 2020, this is a significant win for us and we are deeply committed to supporting Dubai with our global and local resources to provide a new level of sustainable design and operational services,” said Parsons group president Todd Wager.

In January this year, a consortium led by US-based CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace won the tender to build the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali master district.

As per the contract, the firms will provide full-service consultancy, real estate programme management, design, construction and operations management for the end-to-end development and delivery of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali and the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

The design contract for the venue was earlier awarded to a consortium consisting of US-based architects HOK and engineering firm Arup, who were also involved in creating a blueprint for Dubai’s Expo bid.

Post the expo, the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development aims to become a new focal point for regional business tourism through trade fairs, mega-events and conferences, officials said.