His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, launched the main tunnel excavation works for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, marking a new milestone in the development of the emirate’s public transport system and supporting Dubai’s vision of building a more connected, efficient and sustainable city.
The project, with a total cost of AED 20.5 billion, extends 30 kilometres, including 15.5 kilometres underground and 14.5 kilometres above ground level. The Blue Line will include 14 stations, comprising three interchange stations, seven elevated stations and four underground stations, strengthening the metro network’s ability to serve new areas and keep pace with Dubai’s population and urban growth.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, reviewed the progress of the project in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. His Highness was briefed on the stages of implementation and the progress achieved since the route was approved until the start of the main excavation works.
His Highness affirmed that the Dubai Metro Blue Line is part of a comprehensive vision aimed at building a city that is more efficient in mobility and better able to meet the needs of its residents and visitors. He also noted that investment in transport is an investment in the future and a key pillar in enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness and global standing.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, said that Dubai’s major projects are implemented according to the highest international standards, through clear plans, precise timelines and national talents capable of turning vision into tangible achievements on the ground. The project is supervised by a group of experts and engineers specialized in trains and railways.
In a post on his account on X, His Highness said that the Dubai Metro Blue Line extends 30 kilometres, with almost half of it underground, and includes 14 stations that will serve around one million people and help reduce congestion by 20%. His Highness also noted that 10,000 employees and engineers are working to deliver the project, with a budget of AED 20 billion, ahead of its planned opening on September 9, 2029.
His Highness added that Dubai continues to implement major projects that are reshaping its future, including the new global airport, future transport lines, the development of the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the enhancement of digital infrastructure and government services through artificial intelligence technologies. He stressed that Dubai is the city most prepared for the future, and that betting on Dubai is betting on the future.
The launch was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, along with a number of senior officials.
The Blue Line will serve nine vital areas in Dubai, with an estimated population of around one million people, in line with the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The project will improve connectivity between residential communities and business districts, while offering smoother and more efficient public transport options that support quality of life across the emirate.
Upon his arrival at the site of Dubai International City Station 1, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, was received by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, along with a number of executives from the companies and consultants involved in the project.
His Highness listened to a briefing by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer on the development phases of the project, starting with the approval of the Blue Line route in November 2023, followed by the awarding of the construction contract in December 2024, and the laying of the foundation stone in June 2025. The current completion rate has reached 20%, and it is expected to rise to 30% by the end of 2026, with the project scheduled to open on September 9, 2029.
More than 10,000 workers are involved in the project, while over 500 engineers and experts are supervising its implementation, led by Emirati talents. The project consortium has completed more than 13 million working hours without recording lost-time injuries, reflecting its commitment to safety standards and high-quality execution.
Construction work at the stations is progressing at an advanced pace, while bridge works are also continuing through the installation of foundations and columns. The consortium has started building the columns of the bridge that will cross Dubai Creek, making it the first metro bridge to cross the Creek, with a length of 1.3 kilometres. The features of the bridges are expected to become more visible gradually in the coming period.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, also reviewed the architectural designs of the entrances to the interchange station in Dubai International City 1. The station is the largest underground interchange station in the Dubai Metro network, with an area exceeding 44,000 square metres and a capacity of around 350,000 passengers per day.
His Highness also viewed the interior designs of the Blue Line stations, including the design of the iconic “Emaar Properties” station, which covers 11,000 square metres and rises to a height of 74 metres, making it the world’s highest metro station. The station features a design based on open spaces and light, with an architectural character that reflects elegance and a strong connection to the spirit of the place.
The interior designs of the remaining stations follow a contemporary style inspired by the four elements of nature: air, water, earth and fire. Stations inspired by air reflect ambition and openness through spacious areas and natural lighting, while those inspired by water recall Dubai’s maritime history through flowing lines and calm colours.
The stations inspired by earth feature warm natural tones and designs that create a sense of stability and belonging. Meanwhile, the stations inspired by fire express Dubai’s energy and constant movement through vibrant colour gradients and interior spaces that reflect activity and speed.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God protect him, gave the signal to start the tunnel boring machine known as “Al Waqeesha”, marking the beginning of excavation works for the Blue Line tunnels. Excavation will begin from Dubai International City Station 1 in three directions: towards Mirdif, towards the Auto Market area, and towards Al Warqa and International City 2.
The tunnel boring machine, Al Waqeesha, is 163 metres long and weighs more than 2,000 tonnes. It operates around the clock, with an average excavation rate ranging between 13 and 17 metres per day. The machine is equipped with precise digital guidance systems, advanced monitoring and control systems, and an integrated logistics system for transporting excavation materials.
Al Waqeesha has a high ability to cut through sandy and rocky layers and deal with different ground formations that may be encountered during excavation. Its advanced technologies also help create tunnels with accurate and consistent levels, facilitating construction works and reducing the impact on surrounding ground layers.
The current length of the Dubai Metro and Tram network is 101 kilometres, supported by 140 trains. Since the launch of Dubai Metro in September 2009 until the end of 2025, the network has carried around 2.8 billion passengers, including 295 million passengers last year, recording a growth of 7% compared with 2024.
The average number of Dubai Metro users is estimated at around one million passengers per day. The metro also accounts for 40% of the total number of public transport users in the emirate, confirming its central role in daily mobility across Dubai.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line reflects the emirate’s continued commitment to implementing long-term strategic projects that take population growth into account, support urban development and provide practical solutions for sustainable mobility. It also confirms Dubai’s ongoing investment in advanced infrastructure that strengthens its position as a global city for living, working and visiting.
