Dubai announces a new metro line as part of a Dh34 billion expansion of its public transport network, following an announcement by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Wednesday.
The “Gold Line” will add about 25 per cent to the existing Dubai Metro system. The 42-kilometre route will be fully underground, reaching depths of up to 40 metres and is scheduled for completion on September 9, 2032.
Sheikh Mohammed said the project will pass through 15 key areas across the emirate and serve around 1.5 million residents, improving links across residential and commercial districts. In a social media post, he described it as the largest transport project in Dubai’s history and said it will connect 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
He also said Dubai’s long-term development plans remain on schedule, with further projects expected to continue at pace as the city works to expand infrastructure for its growing population.
Once operational, the line is expected to carry about 465,000 passengers daily by 2040. It will run from Al Ghubaiba to Jumeirah Golf Estates, linking areas including Bur Dubai, Satwa, Meydan, Al Barsha South, Jumeirah Village Triangle and Production City.
The Gold Line will connect with the existing Red and Green Lines at three نقاط, including Business Bay, Al Ghubaiba, and Jumeirah Golf Estates. It will also link with the UAE’s Etihad Rail passenger network at two stations. Current plans do not show a direct connection to the under-construction Blue Line, which is set for completion in 2029.
Construction will rely on tunnel-boring technology, with underground track length expected to reach twice that of the metro’s existing tunnels. Authorities said the work will use advanced equipment to limit disruption to traffic and daily activity.
Plans for a separate high-speed underground system, known as the Dubai Loop, are also under consideration. The system is intended to reduce travel times through narrow underground tunnels, though details on integration with the Gold Line have not been confirmed.
Officials said the project is expected to generate long-term economic returns, with estimates pointing to cumulative returns of up to 430 per cent over 20 years.