The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday that work on the Dubai Metro Blue Line will commence this year.

This Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion) project aims to revitalize the north-eastern region of the emirate and establish a direct connection with Dubai International Airport.

It will include the construction of 14 new stations and add 30km to the Metro network, with 15.5km of it being underground.

Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, emphasized the significance of the project in serving vital areas with an expected population of about one million, as outlined in the Dubai Urban Plan 2040. He also highlighted the importance of connectivity and integration with the existing Red and Green Lines.

Al Tayer mentioned that the Metro accounted for the largest proportion of users of mass transit, shared transport, and taxis last year, reaching 37 percent.

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Additionally, the combined ridership of public transport and shared mobility, including Dubai Metro, Tram, buses, marine transport, and taxis, increased by 13 percent from 2022 to 2023, reaching about 702 million.

Once completed, the Blue Line will connect five principal urban regions of Dubai – Bur Dubai/Deira, Downtown/Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Marina/JBR, and Expo City Dubai.

It will span 131km, encompassing 78 stations and served by 168 trains. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro.