Dubai Metro Set to Expand with New 30-Kilometer Blue Line

Dubai is poised to extend its renowned Dubai Metro system by introducing the Blue Line, a 30-kilometer track to accommodate the city’s rapid economic and urban expansion. 

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently issued a tender for the design and construction of this significant addition to the public transportation network.

Blue Line’s Route and Stations:

The Blue Line will serve as a crucial link connecting the existing Red and Green Metro lines. Spanning a total length of 30 kilometers, approximately 15.5 kilometers will be underground, while the remaining 14.5 kilometers will be above ground. 

This extension will feature 14 stations: seven elevated, including one iconic station; five underground, including an interchange station; and two elevated transfer stations. 

These transfer stations will connect to the Centrepoint station, the eastern terminus of the Red Line in Rashidiya, and the Creek station, the southern terminus of the Green Line in Al Jaddaf.

Comprehensive Project Scope:

While the specific details regarding the route, cost, and timeline remain undisclosed, the tender for potential suppliers and contractors includes procuring 28 new driverless trains. 

The project also involves constructing a new depot capable of accommodating up to 60 trains, in addition to the creation of all necessary infrastructure, roads, facilities, and utility diversion works.

Key Tasks for the Winning Contractor:

The selected contractor, joint venture, or consortium will be responsible for various aspects, including civil works encompassing detailed design and construction, as well as electromechanical works. 

They will also oversee the design, procurement, and delivery of operation and control systems for rail, stations, and facilities. 

Additionally, the winning entity will handle the design, manufacturing, and supply of rolling stock, a term used in the railroad industry to denote all rail-based vehicles.

The Role of Dubai Metro:

The Dubai Metro, initiated on September 9, 2009, is recognized as the world’s longest driverless metro network, covering a vast distance of 89.3 kilometers. 

It has played a pivotal role as the backbone of the city’s public transport system, serving over 2 billion commuters in the past 14 years. 

The Dubai Metro has maintained an exceptional punctuality rate of 99.7 percent and exceeded international safety standards, aligning with Dubai’s vision to elevate the share of driverless public transport to 30 percent by 2030.

Part of Dubai 2040 Urban Plan:

The Blue Line extension aligns with Dubai’s ambitious 2040 Urban Plan, unveiled in March 2021, anticipating a population of 5.8 million by 2040, up from 3.3 million in 2020. 

This plan prioritizes mobility, aiming to place 55 percent of residents within 800 meters of mass transit stations, ensuring that 80 percent of their daily needs are reachable within a 20-minute journey. 

The Blue Line project will increase population density around transit stations, fostering mobility in the city’s primary urban centers and strengthening connections between economic and social hubs.

Proposal Deadline:

Companies seeking involvement in the Blue Line project have until November 24 to submit their comprehensive proposals, marking a significant step in Dubai’s urban and transportation development.