Dubai Metro Blue Line construction: Traffic diversions announced

Image credit: Dubai Media office/ RTA

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the commencement of major construction work on the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a landmark project poised to reshape the city’s transport landscape.

As a result, key traffic diversions have been introduced in the Mirdif area to facilitate construction, prompting authorities to urge residents and commuters to plan ahead.

Read-Dubai Metro Blue Line: How will it change commuting in the city

In a statement issued via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the RTA confirmed the closure of the roundabout intersection between 5th and 8th Street near City Centre Mirdif. Traffic from 5th to 8th Street and vice versa is now being diverted via Algeria Street. To ensure continued access to City Centre Mirdif, alternative routes to the mall’s parking areas have been provided. A U-turn near Ghoroob Square has also been introduced to aid residents and maintain traffic flow from City Centre Mirdif Street.

تعلمكم #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات بتنفيذ تحويلات مرورية في منطقة مردف، وذلك تزامناً مع بدء تنفيذ أعمال الخط الأزرق لمترو دبي. يرجى التخطيط لرحلاتكم مسبقاً واستخدام الطرق البديلة لضمان وصولكم لوجهاتكم براحة وسلاسة. #راحتكم_تهمنا pic.twitter.com/xLLap4Xl73

— RTA (@rta_dubai) July 15, 2025

These diversions mark the initial phase of groundwork for the Blue Line, a critical addition to Dubai’s expanding metro network and a core component of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

Game-changer in urban mobility

The Dubai Metro Blue Line is set to span 30 kilometers and feature 14 stations, serving nine key districts expected to be home to more than one million residents by 2040. The line is designed to significantly enhance connectivity across Dubai, linking residential, academic, and commercial zones, and integrating seamlessly with the existing Red and Green metro lines.

The Blue Line will connect the Green Line at Creek Station in Al Jaddaf and the Red Line at Centrepoint Station in Al Rashidiya. It will also offer direct metro access to Dubai Silicon Oasis—one of five key urban centres identified in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan—and Academic City, a growing academic hub projected to serve more than 50,000 university students by 2029.

The Blue Line will operate along two primary routes:

• Route One (21 km): Starts at Creek Interchange Station on the Green Line in Al Jaddaf, running through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, and International City 1, including a major underground interchange. The line continues through International City 2 and 3 to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City. This route includes 10 stations.
• Route Two (9 km): Begins at Centrepoint Station on the Red Line, traversing Mirdif and Al Warqa before connecting to International City 1 Interchange Station. This segment includes four stations and is supported by a new metro depot at Al Ruwayyah 3.

The project’s 14 stations include five underground and nine elevated stations, three of which, Al Jaddaf (Creek Station), Al Rashidiya (Centrepoint Station), and International City 1, will serve as interchange stations. A standout feature of the network is the iconic station in Dubai Creek Harbour and a 1,300-metre-long viaduct crossing Dubai Creek, the first of its kind in the metro network.

Enhancing connectivity and accessibility

Designed with inclusivity and sustainability in mind, the Blue Line stations will feature integrated transport facilities such as public bus bays, taxi stands, bike and e-scooter racks, and accessible parking for People of Determination, an RTA press release said.

With an ultimate capacity to serve over 850,000 passengers daily, the Blue Line is expected to handle 200,000 riders per day by 2030, increasing to 320,000 by 2040. These projections reflect both the city’s rapid urban expansion and the growing demand for efficient, sustainable public transportation.

The Blue Line will also contribute to economic decentralization, providing easier metro access to densely populated residential communities such as Al Rashidiya, Al Warqaa, Mirdif, and International City, home to landmarks like Dragon Mart.

The Blue Line represents the fifth strategic public transportation initiative by the RTA, joining the Red Line, Green Line, Route 2020, and Dubai Tram. With the line’s completion, Dubai’s railway network will grow from 101 km to 131 km. The total number of metro and tram stations will rise from 64 to 78, while the fleet of trains will expand from 140 to 168, including 157 metro trains and 11 trams.

As a flagship infrastructure project, the Blue Line is aligned with the broader goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. It will support both population growth and economic diversification, while helping reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Economic and environmental impact

Initial RTA studies highlight a strong economic case for the Blue Line. By 2040, the project is expected to generate more than AED 56.5 billion in cumulative benefits, including savings in travel time, fuel consumption, accident-related fatalities, and carbon emissions. The estimated benefit-cost ratio stands at 2.60, meaning every Dirham spent on the project is expected to return Dhs2.60 in value.

The line is also expected to ease road congestion in surrounding areas by 20% and increase the value of adjacent land and properties by as much as 25 per cent. Significantly, the Blue Line will offer a direct connection between Dubai International Airport and nine of the city’s key districts.

Sustainability and innovation

The Dubai Metro Blue Line is the first transportation project in the city to fully meet green building standards, earning a Platinum Category certification. The design prioritizes sustainability, cost-efficiency, and ease of maintenance. The network’s largest underground interchange station—located in International City 1—spans over 44,000 square meters and is projected to handle 350,000 passengers daily.

Advanced rail systems, smart station designs, and integration with other modes of public transport will further reinforce Dubai’s reputation for transit innovation.