The Dubai Metro Blue Line project, Dubai’s largest and most substantial public transport project, has been approved on Friday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday announced that plans for the Blue Line had been approved. Sheikh Mohammed said the project, described as the emirate’s “largest new project in the public transport sector”, would cost Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion).
“Stretching 30 kilometres, half of it underground at depths reaching 70 metres, the project costs Dh18 billion,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Blue Line Route:
“It covers areas with a population of one million residents, such as Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, Global Village, Rashidiya, Warqaa, and Mirdif, as well as urban areas like Silicon Oasis, Academic City, and more.”
The new line will be able to transport about 320,000 passengers every day, and according to social media posts from Sheikh Mohammed, will “connect with the current Metro network on the Red Line (Rashidiya Area) and Green Line (Al Khor Area)”.
Total Coverage Area:
Once the project is completed the total network will cover 131km of railway with 78 stations and 168 trains. Dubai Metro was launched in 2009 with 10 stations and has already surpassed the milestone of carrying two billion passengers.
“The Dubai Metro is an integral part of Dubai’s essence, intertwined with its daily life, neighborhoods, and residents … it will continue to serve billions of people in the coming decades, God willing,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Construction Plan:
The Blue Line will not only be a marvel of modern transport but also a significant architectural feature, including the largest underground station spanning 44,000 square meters in the International City area. The project includes the first train crossing over the Creek, the first Interchange Station that will connect the Red and Blue Lines at Centrepoint Station, and the first Interchange Station between the Green and Blue Lines at the Creek Station.
The construction plan for the Dubai Metro Blue Line is set to unfold in stages, with the tender being released in 2023, the awarding of the project in 2024, and the commencement of tunnel boring in 2025. The trial operation is scheduled for 2028, leading up to the official operation set to begin in 2029.
This monumental project is projected to serve a population of one million individuals by 2040, further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for innovation and connectivity.
