Blue Line (Dubai Metro)

The Blue Line is a planned rapid transit line of the Dubai Metro in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It will be the third metro line in the city, after the Red and Green lines, with a total length of 30 kilometres and 14 stations, connecting the neighbourhoods of Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Al Warqaa, Mirdif, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Academic City, and Dubai International City. The line will have interchanges with existing and future metro lines and with the Etihad Rail network.

There is a transfer station with the Green Line at Creek station and one with the Red Line at Centrepoint. Additionally, International City 1 is an interchange station between the Creek and Centrepoint branches. The Blue Line has its main depot at Al Ruwayyah 3.

The project was approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on 24 November 2023, with a total investment of AED 18 billion. It is expected to be operational by 2029. The project aims to enhance the public transport system in Dubai and support the economic and social development of the city. The project will also serve the expected increase in the number of visitors and residents in Dubai. The project will be implemented by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the private sector.

Construction

Bids to build the line were received from consortia:
*China Tiesiju Civil Engineering, Arab Contractors, Binladin Contracting and CAF
* Limak Holding, Mapa Group and CRRC
* Larsen & Toubro, PowerChina, Wade Adams and Hitachi
* FCC, China State Construction Engineering and Alstom

Creek station: The track layout south of Creek station is modified to create a new extension and two additional platforms to serve the new line.

Centrepoint station: The track layout northeast of Centrepoint station is modified to create a new extension and two additional platforms to serve the new line.

As a result of increasing popularity of the metro, the new stations feature platforms wider than the ones found in the existing metro stations to cope with the greater ridership. The extension is 30km in length with 14.5km elevated and 15.5km underground. Of the 14 stations, nine are elevated and five are underground. Additionally, it has a metro depot beyond Academic City in Al Ruwayyah 3, east of Academic City. The route is expected to have 320,000 passengers daily by 2040.

There are two direct routes to Creek and Centrepoint from Academic City which don’t require people to swap trains at International City 1. There will be a Y-junction at International City 1. A Y-junction joins all 3 rails together. Trains traveling from Academic City directly to Centrepoint and Creek will be able to travel direct without hassle of switching trains.

Travel time between Creek and Academic City stations is expected to be 25 minutes. Travel time between Centrepoint and Academic City stations is expected to be 17 minutes.

Statistics

The line was initially supposed to run between Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport along E311 road, to be completed by 2012, but due to the 2008 financial crisis, it was delayed. After the 2023 redesign, the line will be 30 kilometres long, with 15.5 kilometres underground with 5 stations, while the rest will be above-ground with 9 stations.

Route

Seven stations will be elevated, including one iconic station. Five stations will be underground, including one interchange station; and two elevated transfer stations connected to the existing Centrepoint station, the eastern terminus of Red Line in Rashidiya; and Creek station, the southern terminus of Green Line in Al Jaddaf.

References

External links

Dubai Metro ReviewDubai Metro Projects Blue LineBlue Line (Dubai Metro)

{{Developments in Dubai

Dubai Metro
Proposed public transport in Asia

Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai)