Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a AED 20.5B ($5.6B) contract for the construction of the Dubai Metro Blue Line to a consortium of Turkish companies MAPA and LIMAK, along with Chinese firm CRRC. The project will expand the Dubai Metro by 30km, adding 14 stations, and serve over one million residents by 2040, generating AED 56.5B ($15.4B) in economic benefits.
The Blue Line will feature 15.5km of underground tracks and 14.5km of elevated tracks, with three interchange stations linking to existing metro lines. A major highlight will be the first-ever crossing over Dubai Creek via a 1,300m bridge.
The new line will serve 200,000 passengers daily by 2030 and 320,000 by 2040, connecting key areas such as Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis. A signature station at Dubai Creek Harbour, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), will accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily. The International City interchange station will become the largest underground station in the metro network.
The project supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, contributing to the 20-Minute City concept. RTA plans to begin construction in April 2025, with operations set to start in September 2029, marking the Dubai Metro’s 20th anniversary. The expansion will increase the rail network from 101 to 131km and add 14 new stations.
The project will reduce traffic congestion by 20 per cent and increase property values near stations by up to 25 per cent. It will also become Dubai’s first transport project to meet platinum-grade green building standards.
