Dubai Starts Metro Blue Line, First Bridge on Dubai Creek

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: WAM

Dubai has started building the Blue Line of the Dubai Metro, which will include the first-ever bridge over Dubai Creek. The project was officially started by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He laid the foundation stone for the first station of the Blue Line and shared the news on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Sheikh Mohammed said the new station will become a special part of Dubai’s modern city design. The total cost of the Blue Line is Dh56 billion. It will be 30 kilometers long, bringing the full length of Dubai Metro to 131 kilometers with a total of 78 stations.

The Blue Line is a big step in improving public transport in Dubai. It will make traveling around the city easier and faster. The new line is planned to support Dubai’s goal of becoming a smarter and greener city. Since the Dubai Metro started in 2009, it has carried more than 2.5 billion passengers, with about 900,000 people using it every day.

Bridge Over Dubai Creek

This is the first time a metro line in Dubai will cross the Dubai Creek through a 1.3-kilometer bridge. The Blue Line will also have three big interchange stations where passengers can change trains: Al Jaddaf (Green Line), Al Rashidiya (Red Line), and International City 1. One of the stations will be the largest underground interchange in Dubai’s metro network, covering 44,000 square meters and able to handle 350,000 passengers every day.

Better Connections Across Dubai

The Blue Line will make the city’s metro system even stronger. Once completed, Dubai will have 131 kilometers of metro tracks, 78 stations, and 168 trains (157 metro trains and 11 trams). The line will have 14 new stations, some of which connect with important places like Creek Station (Green Line), Centrepoint Station (Red Line), and International City 1. One special station will be at Dubai Creek Harbour.

The line will directly connect Dubai International Airport to nine key areas including Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City (1 and 2), Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City.

Green and Comfortable Design

The Blue Line is also Dubai’s first metro line to receive a Platinum-level green building certification. The stations will be friendly for all passengers, with bus stops, taxi stands, bicycle and scooter parking, and ramps for people with disabilities. One of the main stations, the Emaar station, will be built using high-quality materials and natural light to create a beautiful and comfortable space.

Dubai’s Metro Journey

Since it began, the Dubai Metro (Red, Green, Route 2020 lines and the tram) has played a big role in the city’s transport system. It is used by nearly 60% of all public transport passengers. With the Blue Line adding more stations and covering new areas, Dubai is showing its strong plans for a better, greener, and more connected future.

Sheikh Mohammed said proudly, “We continue to develop Dubai… we continue to build the best city to live in the world.”