By Ashley Karen
A new partly underground 30km long metro line with 14 stations has received the green light in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Metro Blue Line scheme will contain 15.5km driving underground and 14.5km above ground.
It is said to link Dubai International Airport and nine critical areas along the line, namely Al Warqa, Mirdif, International City 1 and 2, Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Creek Harbor, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, and Dubai Festival City.
The connection will include two main routes; the first will begin at the Creek Interchange Station on the Green Line and cover 21km with ten stations. The second route will start at Centrepoint Interchange Station on the Red Line in Al Rashidiya and covers measures 9km with four stations.
At a ceremony on 24 November, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, authorized the project.
Sheikh Mohammed declared that investments in infrastructure projects align with Dubai’s strategy for city development, and will assist with meeting the demands of an increasing city population.
In addition, the Blue Line illustrates a substantial improvement as the first metro route crossing Dubai Creek via a 1300m viaduct. However, the new line is planned for completion in 2029 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro.
Upon the Blue Line completion, Dubai’s total railway network will expand from 101km to 131km, which contains 120km for the Dubai Metro and 11km for the Dubai Tram.
As reported, the line will involve nine elevated stations and five underground stations. The Blue Line is envisioned to serve about 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this figure predicted to increase to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The line is scheduled to handle an estimated capacity of approximately 56,000 passengers per hour in both directions at a service interval of almost 1.5 minutes.
Dubai’s ruler was joined at the ceremony by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors, Al Tayer.
Al Tayer remarked: “The Dubai Metro Blue Line stands out with several notable features, including an iconic station at Dubai Creek Harbour featuring distinctive architectural design. This landmark station will be crafted by the globally renowned firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), one of the largest architectural offices worldwide. SOM is renowned for designing iconic structures such as the Burj Khalifa, the Denver Union Railroad Station in Colorado, and the Sears Tower in Chicago.”
Al Tayer also stated that the Blue Line will have the most considerable underground interchange station within the metro network, covering a vast area of 44,000m2, planned to accommodate nearly 350,000 passengers daily.
Moreover, he added: “Notably, the Blue Line sets a precedent as the first transport project of its kind to adhere to green building regulations and specifications, achieving platinum category status.”
