Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially unveiled the ambitious Metro Blue Line project, a 30-kilometre mass transit corridor slated for completion and public operation by 2029. Designed to enhance east-west connectivity and support Dubai's rapidly expanding urban footprint, the project underscores the emirate’s commitment to sustainable transport and transit-oriented development.
The Blue Line will feature 14 stations—comprising seven elevated, five underground, and two interchange points with the existing Red and Green Lines—spanning strategic zones across both old and new Dubai. The route begins at International City 1 and terminates at Al Jaddaf, forming a vital link between high-density residential, commercial, and industrial clusters. Notably, interchanges will be built at Centrepoint (Red Line) and Creek Station (Green Line), allowing smoother transitions across the entire network.
Approximately 15.5 kilometres of the line will run underground, while the remaining 14.5 kilometres will be elevated. Five underground stations will be connected via twin tunnels built using tunnel boring machines, some reaching depths of 70 metres. This is among the deepest levels within the Dubai Metro network.
The RTA projects that the Blue Line will serve 200,000 daily riders in its initial phase, with future ridership expected to reach 320,000 by 2040 as surrounding developments mature.
The alignment of the Blue Line directly intersects several urban regeneration zones, including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area. This connectivity is expected to catalyze land value appreciation, encourage mixed-use developments, and draw investment into underutilized eastern districts.
Historically, areas near Metro stations in Dubai have witnessed rental premiums between 10–20% and sales price uplifts of up to 30% compared to non-metro-serviced neighborhoods, according to CBRE and Knight Frank data. The Blue Line’s coverage of International City and Silicon Oasis—two of Dubai’s most affordable residential hubs—is likely to spur gentrification, densification, and an overall repositioning of these localities within the city’s real estate hierarchy.
In anticipation, developers have already begun land banking and project planning along key nodes. The planned Urban Tech District in Dubai Creek and logistics parks in Ras Al Khor are also expected to benefit from proximity to the line.
From an economic standpoint, the Blue Line aligns with the Dubai Urban Plan 2040, which targets compact city growth, multi-modal transit expansion, and a 55% public transport mode share by 2040. The project is also expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 240,000 tonnes and contribute significantly to the UAE Net Zero 2050 agenda.
Additionally, the Blue Line will integrate with last-mile systems, including autonomous shuttle trials, pedestrian-friendly corridors, and e-scooter networks—further reducing car dependency in the catchment areas. It will also reduce congestion pressure on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, which are currently among the city’s most congested corridors.
Financing for the project is being structured through a combination of public investment and private sector partnerships, with several engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts expected to be awarded by Q4 2025.
While the project is scheduled for completion in 2029, potential risks include construction delays due to utility relocation, tunneling complexities in dense industrial zones, and inflationary pressures on material and labor costs. However, the RTA has emphasized phased implementation with early works already commenced in 2024.
The preliminary design phase concluded in early 2024, followed by detailed engineering planning. Major tunneling work is expected to start by mid-2026. Based on current benchmarks, the Blue Line's per-kilometre cost is estimated at AED 700–800 million, in line with global metro construction averages in urbanized settings.
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