Dubai has greenlit its most ambitious transport project to date, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approving the AED34 billion Metro Gold Line, a fully underground 42-kilometre route set to reshape mobility across the emirate.
The Gold Line will be Dubai's first entirely underground metro line, running 40 metres beneath the city across 18 stations. Spanning from Al Ghubaiba through key districts including Business Bay, Meydan, Jumeirah Village Circle and culminating at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the route connects 15 strategic locations and will serve over 1.5 million people by 2040.
Sheikh Mohammed directed work to begin immediately, with inauguration scheduled for 9 September 2032, a delivery pace 30% faster than the Blue Line currently under construction.
The new line integrates with the Red Line at two points and the Green Line at Al Ghubaiba, while also linking to Etihad Rail at Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates, effectively connecting Dubai to the national transport network. Once complete, the Gold Line will expand the metro network from 120 kilometres to 162 kilometres, growing the total number of stations from 67 to 85.
Daily ridership beyond 2040 is projected at 465,000 passengers. The line is expected to remove over 40 million car journeys annually, ease Red Line congestion between Burjuman and ONPASSIVE stations by 23%, and deliver a 430% cumulative economic return over 20 years of operation.
RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer noted that property values near stations could rise by up to 20%, further reinforcing the line's economic case.
Tenders are scheduled for 2026, with contract awards to follow in 2027 ahead of construction commencement. The project will be led by national talent, underscoring the leadership's confidence in Emirati expertise on large-scale infrastructure delivery.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
