Major Works Kick Off on $5.6bn Dubai Metro Blue Line

Work has begun on the Blue Line Metro Dubai project that people have been waiting for, marking a big step forward in growing the city’s infrastructure. 

The project will cost $5.6 billion and will create a 30-kilometre rapid transit line to improve travel across nine growing districts helping over one million people when it’s done.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is leading the Dubai Metro Blue Line project working with Turkish companies Mapa and Limak, and Chinese rail systems company CRRC. 

The plan includes 14 stations, with five underground and nine above ground, and should be finished by 2029.

“The Blue Line is not just a metro expansion; it’s a strategic investment into the city’s future,” said Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director-General.

“It connects key economic and residential zones while offering seamless integration with the existing Red and Green Lines, and even future networks like Etihad Rail.”

A key engineering highlight of the project is a 1.3km viaduct that will cross Dubai Creek—the first of its kind in the metro network.

The Blue Line will also include a major train depot at Al Ruwayyah 3 to support the expanded operations of the metro system, which will eventually cover 131 kilometres and run a fleet of 168 trains.

The project is split into two distinct corridors. The first runs 21 kilometres from Creek Station on the Green Line, through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, International City 1, and then onward to Silicon Oasis and Academic City. 

The second branch extends 9 kilometres from Centrepoint on the Red Line, passing through Al Warqa and Mirdif before converging at International City 1, which will serve as a major underground interchange station.

RELATED: Dubai Begins Work on the World’s Biggest Airport

In fact, International City 1 is poised to become Dubai Metro’s largest underground interchange, spanning 44,000 square metres and offering connections to tram and future rail services.

Another architectural landmark will be the Emaar Properties station, which is expected to be the tallest metro station in the world at 74 metres high. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the station will be able to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers per day.

The Blue Line Metro Dubai will also feature visually striking, seashell-inspired stations, each themed around elements such as heritage, water, fire, air, and Expo.

These design choices aim to blend utility with aesthetics, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to innovation in infrastructure.

By 2040, the Dubai Metro Blue Line is expected to carry more than 320,000 passengers daily, significantly easing congestion and reducing travel times across the emirate. 

Passengers will be able to reach Dubai International Airport from key suburbs in just 20 minutes, making the new line a vital addition to Dubai’s transport network.

Join 15,000+ pros getting our weekly digest of news and insights.