Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Dubai Metro Blue Line on June 9, 2025. RTA

The Dubai Metro is on track for its next major expansion with the introduction of the Blue Line, a new 30-kilometre rail route connecting nine key districts across the city. The project, approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was formally launched during a ceremony on Monday (June 9), where he also laid the foundation stone and approved the design of what will become the highest metro station in the world. The Blue Line will include 14 stations—with a mix of underground and elevated stops—and is projected to serve over one million residents by 2040. The new route is a central part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to turn the city into a model of sustainable, smart urban living. One of the highlights of the project is the Emaar Properties Station, a record-breaking metro station that will rise 74 metres high. Designed by acclaimed US-based architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the structure is inspired by the concept of a “crossing gateway” and will serve as a prominent urban landmark. “This new station will embody Dubai’s vision of being a gateway to the future,” Sheikh Mohammed said during the launch. He was accompanied by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Covering an area of 11,000 square metres, Emaar Properties Station is expected to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers per day, with daily footfall projected to exceed 70,000 by 2040.

Route and connectivity

The Blue Line connects Dubai International Airport to nine key urban areas, including: • Mirdif • Al Warqa • International City 1 & 2 • Dubai Silicon Oasis • Academic City • Dubai Creek Harbour • Dubai Festival City • Ras Al Khor Industrial Area The Blue Line will feature two main routes: 1. Creek Interchange Station to Academic City (21 km) – This route begins at Al Jaddaf’s Creek Station on the Green Line, running through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, and International City 1, before heading to International City 2 and 3, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and finally Academic City. 2. Centrepoint Interchange Station to International City 1 (9 km) – Starting from the Red Line’s Centrepoint Station in Al Rashidiya, this route passes through Mirdif and Al Warqa before joining at International City 1. The line includes three interchange stations—at Creek (Green Line), Centrepoint (Red Line), and International City 1—and a new metro depot at Al Ruwayah 3. Once operational, the Blue Line will allow direct travel from various districts to Dubai International Airport in just 20 minutes and is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20 percent in the served areas. With the addition of the Blue Line, the Dubai Metro network will grow to 131 km, with 78 stations and 168 trains, which includes 157 Metro trains and 11 trams. Daily ridership is forecast to reach 320 million by 2031. The Dubai Metro Blue line will contribute to Dubai’s goal of a 20-minute city, in which 80 percent of essential services are accessible within a 20-minute trip. The station designs continue to evolve, with themes reflecting heritage, elements of nature, and innovation, blending traditional motifs with futuristic architecture. ICA/Expat Media
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