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Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the tunnelling work on the Blue Line of the Dubai Metro on Sunday, May 3.

The project, scheduled to open on September 9, 2029, has a budget of Dh20.5 billion to complete what the leader termed "the world's newest and most beautiful metro". Of the 30km line, 14.5km is above ground, leaving 15.5km, a little over half of the Metro line, underground.

Sheikh Mohammed said that investing in the transport sector is an investment in the future. He noted that the new line will build a more connected, efficient and sustainable city. He said, “Our projects in Dubai are delivered to meet the highest international standards, guided by clear plans, precise timelines, and national talent capable of turning vision into tangible achievements in practice. Their delivery is overseen by 180 railway experts and engineers."

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum10,000 employees and engineers racing against time [to complete the Blue Line] by 9-9-2029 Tunnelling begins

The Dubai Ruler was received at the International City 1 Station site by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, along with other officials and CEOs.

Sheikh Mohammed gave the signal to start the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which RTA has named ‘Al Wugeisha,’ marking the launch of tunnelling works for the Dubai Metro Blue Line. Tunnelling works will proceed in 3 directions from International City 1 Station, with the first TBM heading towards Mirdif, the second towards the Auto Market, and the third towards Al Warsan (International City 2).

The machine is 163 metres long, weighs more than 2,000 tonnes and operates around the clock. Its average excavation advance rate ranges from 13 to 17 metres per day.

The machine is equipped with advanced technologies, including high-precision digital guidance systems, sophisticated monitoring and control systems, and an integrated logistics system for transporting excavated material.

It is designed to break through rock formations, bore through sandy strata, and deal with any other objects that may be encountered during excavation.

The machine incorporates a massive metal shield supported by a mechanical tail section. At the front is a cutterhead, followed by a chamber whose configuration varies according to the excavation method, the geological strata being bored, and the soil conditions in which works are being carried out. Behind the chamber are hydraulic jacks that generate the thrust needed to propel the machine forward during tunnelling operations.

Al Wugeisha also includes a spoil removal system, slurry discharge pipelines, a control cabin, and other essential high-technology components and advanced capabilities that help accelerate and complete tunnelling works.

Al Wugeisha is also an environmentally friendly machine that does not have any adverse impact on the ground layers adjacent to the excavation zone. In addition, it bores tunnels with consistent profiles, facilitating subsequent construction works and reducing tunnel wall installation costs.

Accelerated execution

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Al Tayer on the project’s progression, from the initial approval of the Dubai Metro Blue Line route in November 2023, followed by the awarding of the project contract in December 2024, and Sheikh Mohammed's laying of the foundation stone to mark the start of implementation in June 2025.

The project currently stands at 20 per cent completion, with more than 10,000 workers deployed on the project and more than 500 engineers and experts overseeing delivery under Emirati leadership.

The consortium has completed more than 13 million work hours without recording any lost-time injuries. Construction works at the stations are progressing at an accelerated pace. Bridge works are also ongoing, with foundations and piers being installed. The consortium delivering the project has begun constructing the piers of the bridge crossing Dubai Creek, the first metro bridge to span the Creek, extending 1.3 km. The bridge structures are expected to begin taking shape next June.

In line with the project schedule, completion is expected to reach 30 per cent by the end of 2026.

Proactive approach

Dubai Metro Blue Line is the first rail project undertaken by RTA to include two ready-mix concrete batching plants and two precast concrete storage sites in Al Ruwayyah 3 and International City. This proactive approach by RTA in delivering major projects has helped strengthen quality control and improve the efficiency of construction materials, while enabling full control over manufacturing and supply chains. It also reduces implementation timelines and increases logistics efficiency.

The ready-mix concrete batching plant in Al Ruwayyah has a production capacity of 200 cubic metres of ready-mix concrete, while the precast viaduct factory produces 10 to 12 viaduct segments per day.

The International City plant produces 120 cubic metres of ready-mix concrete, while the precast tunnel ring factory produces 12 rings per day.

Reshaping Dubai

With another metro expansion project, Gold Line, announced earlier, "major projects to reshape new Dubai are ongoing," Sheikh Mohammed said. A whopping Dh34-billion budget was allocated for the Gold Line, which also serves as a connector between Dubai's Metro network and Etihad Rail.

Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as the Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, said other major projects are underway in Dubai, including the new airport, DIFC in a new look, along with digital infrastructure powered by artificial intelligence technologies.

Dubai Metro Blue Line

The Dubai Metro Blue Line will link to the Red Line at Centrepoint Station, and the Green Line at Creek Station. It consists of 14 stations, divided between two routes.

The new line will cut traffic congestion on its served routes by 20 per cent. Providing a direct connection between Dubai International Airport and nine key areas, travel will only take between 10 and 25 minutes.

The Blue Line also connects to Dubai Academic City, which is projected to accommodate over 50,000 university students by 2029, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, one of the emirate's major urban centres.

The first station on the network— Emaar Properties — is also the world's highest metro station, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the renowned American architectural firm behind Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Metro Gold Line

The fully underground metro line, with 18 stations, will run at depths of up to 40 metres and pass through 15 strategic areas across the emirate, with the full Gold Line route map revealed by Dubai authorities.

The map also references a high-speed rail corridor running from Ras Al Khor towards areas beyond Expo City. No further details on this high-speed rail component have been disclosed yet.

The Gold Line will ease congestion across major roads by reducing over 40 million journeys annually; the new metro line will also lessen congestion on the Red Line between Burjuman and ONPASSIVE stations by 23 per cent.

Once fully operational, the line is expected to serve around 465,000 passengers daily by 2040. The project will also support more than 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.

With a Dh34-billion budget, it represents Dubai's largest public transport expansion.The Gold Line will also integrate with UAE's national rail network, Etihad Rail.

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