Inauguration of the Dubai Metro Blue Line: A New Era in Urban Transit Begins
As reported by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the construction of Dubai Metro’s Blue Line officially kicked off on June 9, marked by a foundation stone ceremony attended by sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
This enterprising project will be executed by a consortium comprising Turkish and Chinese firms, specifically Mapa and Limak for civil works, alongside CRRC for railway systems.
The Blue Line is designed in a Y-shape with two routes: one spans 15.5 km underground while the other covers an additional 14.5 km above ground, featuring a notable bridge that stretches across Dubai creek at 1.3 km.
The first route will extend for about 21 km with ten stations starting from Creek Interchange on the Green Line in Al Jaddaf. It will pass thru key areas like Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, International City I, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and finally reach Dubai Academic City.
The second route measures around nine kilometers with four stations beginning at Centrepoint Interchange on the Red Line in Al Rashidiya. This line will connect through Mirdif and Al Warqaa before merging back into the main Blue Line at International City I.
A depot is planned to be established at Al Ruwayah to support operations.
the anticipated launch date for this new line is September 9th, 2029—coinciding with two decades since Dubai’s inaugural metro line opened its doors. The Blue Line aims to accommodate up to an impressive capacity of around 46 thousand passengers per direction every hour with trains scheduled every two minutes! By 2030, it’s projected that nearly 200 thousand riders will utilize this service daily; this number could soar to 320 thousand daily users by 2040!
A standout feature along this route will be a grand station measuring 74 meters tall and 38 meters wide, catering to approximately 40 thousand residents in Dubai Creek Harbour. Named Emaar Properties Station after securing naming rights from Emaar for ten years post-inauguration in 2029, it promises meaningful architectural flair designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill—famed creators of Burj Khalifa!
This expansive station covers about 11 thousand square meters and has been crafted not just as a transit point but as an urban landmark that enhances placemaking within its habitat according to RTA officials.
The design anticipates accommodating up to 160 thousand passengers each day—with projections estimating over 70 thousand daily users expected by 2040.
The materials chosen aim for elegance blended seamlessly with sophistication—a unique character reflecting both tradition and modernity! Sunlight bouncing off stone surfaces during daytime creates timeless beauty while nighttime lighting transforms it into a radiant beacon guiding travelers homeward!
| Dubai metro network ridership (in millions/year) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ancient Data | |||
| 2010 | 39 | ||
| 2011 | 69 | ||
| 2012 | 109 | ||
| 320 | |||
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