Blue Line (Dubai Metro)

Last updated
Blue Line
Dubai Metro Blue Line UPDATED.png
Overview
StatusApproved
Owner Roads & Transport Authority
Locale Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Termini
Stations14
Service
Type Rapid transit
System Dubai Metro
Operator(s) Keolis
Rolling stockTBA
History
Planned openingSeptember 9, 2029
Technical
Line length30 kilometers (19 mi)
CharacterTBA
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Electrification Third rail
Operating speed110 km/h (68 mph)
Route map

Contents

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Depot
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GLE-11
Academic City
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GLE-10
Dubai Silicon Oasis
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GLE-09
International City 2
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GLE-08/RLE-04
International City 1
  B3  
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BSicon utABZlr.svg
BSicon utSTR+r.svg
BSicon uhHST.svg
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GLE-06
Car Mart
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BSicon utSTR.svg
GLE-05
Ras Al Khor Industrial
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BSicon utSTR.svg
GLE-03
Dubai Creek Harbour 3
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BSicon utSTR.svg
GLE-02
Dubai Creek Harbour 2
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BSicon utSTR.svg
GLE-01
Dubai Creek Harbour 1
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BSicon utSTR.svg
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GLE-00
Creek   M2  
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RLE-03
Dragon Mart
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RLE-02
Al Warqa
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RLE-01
City Centre Mirdif
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RLE-00
Centrepoint   M1  

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, [1] 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. [2]

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.[ citation needed ]

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. [3] 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. [4]

Construction

Bids to build the line were received from consortia: [5] [6]

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. [7]

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 financial crisis, it was put on hold. 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. [8]

Route

Blue Line (Dubai Metro)
Proposed route for the Blue line metro.

Dubai Metro Blue Line Station Details UPDATED (gift for RTA).png

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. [9]

BranchCodeStation NameOpening dateTransfer stationLayoutThemeAreaLength
MainBranchEnglishArabic
GLE-00 Creek الخورMarch 1, 2014 (Green Line)
September 9, 2029 (Blue Line)
Interchange with the Green Line to E& ElevatedEarth18,500433
GLE-01Dubai Creek Harbour 1دبي كريك هاربر ١September 9, 2029ElevatedFire11,100160
GLE-02Dubai Creek Harbour 2دبي كريك هاربر ٢September 9, 2029ElevatedArchitectural design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill 10,800160
GLE-03Dubai Creek Harbour 3دبي كريم هاربر ٣September 9, 2029ElevatedEarth11,900160
GLE-05Ras Al Khor Industrialرأس الخور الصناعيةSeptember 9, 2029ElevatedWater9,800160
GLE-06Car Martسوق السياراتSeptember 9, 2029ElevatedFire9,100160
GLE-08/RLE-04 International City 1 مدينة العالمية ١September 9, 2029Interchange between the main line (Academic City -> Creek) and the branch line (Academic City -> Centrepoint)UndergroundAir44,000567
GLE-09 International City 2 مدينة العالمية ٢September 9, 2029UndergroundEarth28,200226
GLE-10 Dubai Silicon Oasis واحة دبي السيليكونSeptember 9, 2029ElevatedWater10,700160
GLE-11 Academic City مدينة الاكادميةSeptember 9, 2029ElevatedFire9,200160
RLE-00 Centrepoint سنتربوينتSeptember 9, 2009 (Red Line)
September 9, 2029 (Blue Line)
Interchange with the Red Line to Expo City Dubai or UAE Exchange ElevatedAir10,000242
RLE-01 City Centre Mirdif سيتي سنتر مردفSeptember 9, 2029UndergroundEarth24,300226
RLE-02 Al Warqa’a الورقاءSeptember 9, 2029UndergroundWater25,700226
RLE-03 Dragon Mart سوق التنينSeptember 9, 2029UndergroundFire27,300226

References

  1. Tesorero, Angel. "Dubai Metro to have new 30-km Blue Line". Khaleej Times . Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. "Dubai Metro Blue Line: Where will it go and when will it open?". The National . 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  3. "Pictures: What Dubai Metro's Blue Line will look like". Gulf News . 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  4. "Sheikh Mohammed announces $5bn Dubai Metro Blue Line: First train over Creek, property boost, 30km new track, new-look stations". Arabian Business . 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  5. Contractors submit revised bids for Dubai Metro Blue Line MEED 7 November 2024
  6. Dubai's RTA receives updated Blue Line bids International Railway Journal 12 November 2024
  7. "Dubai Metro Blue Line route".
  8. Buckeridge, Miles (2023-11-24). "Sheikh Mohammed approves Dubai Metro's underground Blue Line". What's On. UAE. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  9. Tesorero, Angel. "Dubai Metro to have new 30-km Blue Line". Khaleej Times . Retrieved 2023-10-30.