Dubai has announced and advanced three major transport projects simultaneously: the Gold Line metro, the Blue Line metro, and the completed Hessa Street road upgrade. Together, they represent one of the most significant expansions of the emirate’s transport infrastructure in recent years.
On April 22, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a Dh34 billion investment described as the largest public transport project in the emirate’s history. The line is expected to serve 1.5 million residents upon completion.
The Gold Line spans 42 kilometres and will be Dubai’s first fully integrated underground metro route. It originates at Al Ghubaiba in old Dubai and passes through 15 locations: Mina Rashid, City Walk, Business Bay, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Nad Al Sheba, Meydan, Al Barsha South, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Jumeirah Golf Estates, among others.
The tunnel network will be equivalent to twice the combined length of all existing Dubai Metro tunnels. Authorities have also indicated plans for the Gold Line to potentially connect with Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national rail network, extending its reach beyond the city.
Dubai Metro Blue Line Reaches 10% Completion in Five Months
The Dubai Metro Blue Line, announced last year, has reached 10 percent completion within five months of breaking ground. The line features 14 stations and extends in two directions.
The first branch runs 21 kilometres from Creek Interchange Station on the Green Line in Al Jaddaf, passing through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, before reaching International City. It then continues through Dubai Silicon Oasis and terminates at Dubai Academic City.
The second branch stretches nine kilometres from Centrepoint Interchange Station on the Red Line in Al Rashidiya, cutting through Mirdif and Al Warqa before connecting at International City. A depot and maintenance facility will be built in Al Ruwayyah 3.
Hessa Street Project Cuts Travel Time and Doubles Road Capacity
The Roads and Transport Authority has completed the Hessa Street Development Project, upgrading a 4.5-kilometre stretch between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. Travel times on the corridor have been reduced from around 15 minutes to four minutes, while road capacity has doubled from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
Work on Phase 2 is already underway, extending the project a further three kilometres to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. That phase will include more than 8,800 metres of bridges, a 480-metre tunnel, and upgrades to three key intersections.
The Dubai Metro first opened in 2009 and has since expanded into the primary public transport backbone of the city. The Gold Line, Blue Line, and Hessa Street projects represent the latest phase of that expansion, with authorities stating the developments are designed to keep pace with the emirate’s growing population and rising demand for connectivity across key residential and business districts.
