Tunneling Work Accelerates on $5.6 Billion Dubai Metro Blue Line

Dubai has initiated primary tunneling operations for the Blue Line metro project, a significant infrastructure endeavor valued at 20.5 billion UAE dirhams (approximately $5.6 billion). This metro line is slated to commence operations on September 9, 2029, as announced by the Dubai Media Office.

Project Overview and Timeline

The Blue Line spans 30 kilometers, incorporating a 15.5-kilometer underground section and a 14.5-kilometer above-ground segment. The tunneling work was officially launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As of now, construction, which began in June 2025, is reported to be 20% complete, with expectations to reach 30% by the end of the year.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the Blue Line is part of a broader vision aimed at enhancing connectivity and sustainability within the city. He noted ongoing major projects, including a new global airport and advanced transport networks, which are integral to reshaping Dubai’s urban landscape.

Contracting and Workforce Mobilization

The design-build contract for the Blue Line was awarded to a Turkish-Chinese consortium comprising Mapa-Limak and China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) in December 2024. The Turkish contractors are responsible for civil works, while CRRC will supply the rail systems, including a fleet of 28 driverless trains. A joint venture of AtkinsRealis and Parsons Corporation is serving as the Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the project.

The workforce mobilized for this project includes over 10,000 workers and 180 rail specialists. The Blue Line will feature 14 stations, including three interchange stations, seven elevated stations, and four underground stations, along with a train depot located in Al Ruwaiyah 3.

Tunneling Operations and Technology

The tunneling operations will commence in three directions from the International City 1 Station. The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will head towards Mirdif, the second towards the Auto Market, and the third towards Al Warsan (International City 2). In the subsequent phase, these TBMs will be deployed beneath Emirates Road towards the train depot in Al Ruwaiyah 3 and from Al Rashidiya towards Mirdif. The average excavation rates for these TBMs are expected to range from 13 to 17 meters per day.

Germany-based CREG Wirth, part of the China Railway Engineering Equipment Group, is supplying the three TBMs for this project.

Infrastructure Developments

Construction of piers for a 1.3-kilometer viaduct across Dubai Creek has commenced, with the bridge structures anticipated to begin forming by June 2027. This will be the first metro crossing above the creek, as the existing Red and Green metro lines currently traverse it underground.

The tunneling and construction activities are supported by two ready-mix concrete batching plants—one with a capacity of 200 cubic meters in Al Ruwayyah and another with a capacity of 120 cubic meters in International City. Additionally, there are two precast plants: a precast viaduct factory in Al Ruwayyah 3, capable of producing 10 to 12 viaduct segments daily, and a precast tunnel ring factory in International City with a daily capacity of 12 rings.

Station Design and Capacity

The construction of the Blue Line metro stations is progressing rapidly. The station at Dubai Creek Harbour, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), will be the tallest metro station globally at 74 meters, covering an area of 11,000 square meters. It is projected to accommodate 160,000 passengers daily, with an expected 70,000 daily users by 2040.

International City (1) is set to become the largest underground interchange station in the Dubai Metro network, spanning over 44,000 square meters and anticipated to handle 350,000 passengers daily. The design theme of the stations varies, with three stations themed around air, two around water, four around earth, and two around fire.

The Blue Line is the first transport project in Dubai to fully comply with green building standards, aiming for LEED Platinum certification.

Network Connectivity and Urban Planning

The Blue Line will connect with the Green Line at Creek Station and the Red Line at Centrepoint Station. The first route will begin at Al Khor Interchange Station (Creek Station) on the Green Line in Al Jaddaf, traversing through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Ras Al Khor before reaching the International City (1) interchange station. This 21-kilometer route will include 10 stations, featuring a combination of underground and elevated tracks.

The second route will start at Centrepoint Interchange Station on the Red Line in Al Rashidiya, passing through Mirdif and Al Warqaa to the interchange station at International City (1). This 9-kilometer route will consist of four stations.

With a capacity of 46,000 passengers per hour in both directions and a train frequency of approximately two minutes, the Blue Line is projected to serve nearly 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, increasing to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The line will cater to nine key districts, supporting a projected population of around one million under the Dubai 2040 urban master plan.

The anticipated benefits of the project are expected to exceed AED 56.5 billion by 2040, driven by time savings, reduced fuel consumption, fewer accident-related fatalities, and lower carbon emissions. It is projected to alleviate traffic congestion on key road corridors by 20% and enhance the value of land and properties surrounding its stations by up to 25%.

Future Developments

In April, Sheikh Mohammed launched the AED 34 billion Gold Line, which will be the city’s first fully underground metro line and its largest transportation project to date. This line will connect 15 strategic areas across Dubai, strengthening transport links to 55 major real estate developments and is expected to serve around 1.5 million residents through 18 stations.

The current total length of the Dubai Metro is 90 kilometers, comprising approximately 52 kilometers for the Red Line, 23 kilometers for the Green Line, and 15 kilometers for Route 2020. The network includes 53 stations, with 29 on the Red Line, 18 on the Green Line, and seven on Route 2020. The combined Dubai Metro and Tram network extends to 101 kilometers, featuring 64 stations and 140 trains.

Completion of the Blue Line will extend the combined metro and tram network to a total of 131 kilometers, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains. With the completion of the Gold Line, the network will reach 172 kilometers and consist of 96 stations.

Source: www.zawya.com

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