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Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has issued a notice seeking expressions of interest from contractors for the design and build of the new Blue line for the Dubai Metro network. 

The project is expected to cost several billion dollars to develop and is one of Dubai’s largest upcoming infrastructure schemes, requiring international contractors to work in a joint venture with local partners. 

The design and build contractor will be responsible for all civil works, electromechanical works, rolling stock and rail systems. The contractor will assist in maintenance and operations for an initial three-year period after the project is completed.

The Blue line will connect the existing Red and Green lines. It will have a total length of 30 kilometres (km), 15.5km of which will be underground and 14.5km above ground.

The line will have 14 stations, seven of which will be elevated. There will be five underground stations, including one interchange station, and two elevated transfer stations connected to the existing Centrepoint and Creek stations.

The scope of the contract also includes the supply of 28 driverless trains, the construction of a depot to accommodate up to 60 trains, and the construction of all associated roads, facilities and utility diversion works.

The detailed scope of work for the project includes:

• Civil works, including detailed design and construction of architectural and structural components (viaducts, tunnels, stations, etc)
• Design and execution of electromechanical works
• Design, procurement and delivery of operation and control systems for rail, stations and facilities
• Design, manufacturing and supply of rolling stock

Planning for growth

The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan was launched in March 2021. Its launch referenced studies indicating that the emirate's population will reach 5.8 million by 2040, up from 3.3 million in 2020. The daytime population is set to increase from 4.5 million in 2020 to 7.8 million in 2040.

Ten projects that will shape Dubai’s future 

In December 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the 20-Minute City Policy as part of the second phase of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. 

The metro extension is part of Dubai’s plans to improve residents’ quality of life by cutting journey times, as outlined in the policy.

The policy aims for residents to have 80 per cent of their daily requirements within a 20-minute journey time, on foot or by bicycle. This goal will be achieved by developing integrated service centres with all the necessary facilities and increasing the population density around mass transit stations.

MEED’s November 2023 special report on the UAE includes: 

> COMMENT: UAE eyes global leadership role
> POLITICS: Abu Dhabi networks on the global stage
> ECONOMY: UAE economy maintains robust growth
> BANKING: UAE banks enjoy the good times
> UPSTREAM: Hail and Ghasha galvanises UAE upstream market
> DOWNSTREAM: Adnoc spurs downstream gas expansions
> POWER: UAE closes ranks ahead of Cop28
> WATER: UAE ramps up decarbonisation of water sector
> PROJECTS: Top 10 UAE clean energy projects
> CONSTRUCTION: UAE construction sector returns to form
> TRANSPORT: UAE aviation returns to growth