RTA awards Dubai Metro Blue Line contract to Turkish-Chinese consortium for AED 20.5 billion

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded the contract for the ambitious Dubai Metro Blue Line project to a consortium of leading Turkish and Chinese companies—MAPA, LIMAK, and CRRC. The AED 20.5 billion project spans 30 kilometers, featuring 14 stations, and is set to revolutionize the city’s transport network, according the the Government of Dubai Media Office.

Unveiled by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, during a press conference at One&Only Za’abeel, the project aligns with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to prioritize infrastructure as a pillar of Dubai’s growth.

The initiative supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aimed at enhancing mobility and sustainability.

Key features of the Blue Line

The Blue Line will connect major hubs, including Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Festival City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, with two routes linking the Red and Green Lines. Notable highlights include:

• Infrastructure: A mix of 15.5 km underground and 14.5 km elevated tracks, with Dubai Metro’s first-ever crossing over Dubai Creek via a 1,300-meter bridge.
• Stations: A signature station at Dubai Creek Harbour designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), accommodating 160,000 passengers daily, and International City (1), the metro’s largest underground station.
• Economic impact: The project is projected to generate AED 2.60 in economic, social, and environmental benefits for every dirham invested, saving time, fuel, and reducing emissions.

The Blue Line will be Dubai’s first transport project to comply with platinum-grade green building standards, reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainable development. By 2040, the metro will serve approximately 320,000 passengers daily and integrate urban centers like Dubai Academic City, home to over 50,000 students, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, a strategic hub under the city’s urban master plan.

International collaboration

Selected through a competitive international tender process, the consortium will combine its expertise to deliver the project. MAPA and LIMAK will handle civil works, while CRRC will oversee rail systems. Construction begins in April 2025, with operations launching in September 2029, marking 20 years since the Dubai Metro first opened.

The completion of the Blue Line will extend Dubai’s rail network from 101 km to 131 km, adding 14 new metro stations and expanding the train fleet to 168, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a global leader in driverless metro systems.

Mehmet Nazif Gunal, Chairman of MAPA, hailed the project as integral to Dubai’s vision of becoming the world’s best city to live in. "We are honored to contribute to this transformative project and look forward to its successful completion," he said.