UAE: Approval for the 34bn dirham Gold Line metro project was announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on April 22.
He directed that the project commence immediately. Tenders are to be called this year, with the construction contract to be awarded in 2027. The Dubai government said delivery would be 30% faster than for the Blue Line which is currently under construction.
Inauguration of the Gold Line is scheduled for September 9 2032; the Red Line opened as Dubai’s first metro line on September 9 2009, the Green Line followed on September 9 2011 and the Blue Line is scheduled for September 9 2029.
Underground route
The 42 km Gold Line will be the first metro line in Dubai to be fully underground, reaching a depth of 40 m.
It will start at Al Ghubaiba and serve Mina Rashid, City Walk, Business Bay, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Nad Al Sheba, Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens, Meydan, Al Barsha South and Jumeirah Village Circle before terminating at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The route will serve 55 development projects and ridership is expected to reach 465 000 passengers/day after 2040.
The 18 stations will include interchanges with the Green Line at Al Ghubaiba and with the Red Line at Business Bay and Jumeirah Golf Estates. This is expected to alleviate congestion on the Red Line between Burjuman and Onpassive stations by 23%,.
‘This new route will connect 15 strategic locations in Dubai, serving 1.5 million people and supporting mobility across 55 mega development projects currently under construction’, said Sheikh Mohammed.
There will be interchanges with the developing Etihad Rail railway network at Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates to strengthen connectivity with the other emirates.
430% cumulative economic return
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Roads & Transport Authority, said the Gold Line ‘marks a strategic milestone in the evolution of Dubai’s public transport network, reflecting the leadership’s vision to develop integrated, sustainable infrastructure that fuels economic growth and enhances quality of life.’
He said the project ‘facilitates integration of multimodal transportation, links Dubai’s key urban hubs and addresses the demands of urban and demographic expansion in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’.
He said RTA was committed to adopting international best practice in executing major projects, and there would be a key role for Emirati nationals.
He said the project is projected to achieve a 430% cumulative economic return over 20 years of operation, driven by savings in time and fuel as well as reductions in road accident fatality rates and carbon emissions.