THE NEW DUBAI METRO BLUE LINE: EMAAR PROPERTIES STATION TO BECOME WORLD’S HIGHEST METRO STATION.

Dubai has officially marked another transformative milestone in its public transportation journey with the launch of the new Dubai Metro Blue Line, a project set to redefine urban mobility across the emirate. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, laid the foundation stone for the first station in a ceremony that signals the beginning of a Dh56 billion investment into the city’s ever growing metro network.

The Blue Line, scheduled for completion by 2029 will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro. It extends 30 kilometres and connects the northeastern parts of the city to the existing Red and Green Lines, The new line will add 14 stations across two routes - 21 kilometres and 9 kilometres respectively, bringing the total network to 131 kilometres, 78 stations, and 168 trains. It is designed to support Dubai’s rising population and reduce road traffic by up to 20 percent, the Blue Line will provide direct access to key locations including Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City.

At the heart of this ambitious expansion is the Emaar Properties Station which is set to become the world’s highest metro station at an elevation of 74 metres. Located in Dubai Creek Harbour, the station is designed by globally acclaimed architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the minds behind the Burj Khalifa and Chicago’s Willis Tower. The station’s bold and futuristic “crossing gateway” design reflects Dubai’s evolving vision as a Gateway to the Future.

Covering 11,000 square metres, Emaar Properties Station is engineered to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers per day, with over 70,000 expected daily users by 2040. It will also be a key landmark along the Blue Line’s route and will stand as a testament to architectural innovation and sustainable urban development. Emaar has secured the naming rights for the station for the next 10 years, reaffirming its integral role in this milestone project.

Adding to the engineering marvels of the new line is a 1.3 km bridge over Dubai Creek, the first of its kind in the city’s metro infrastructure. The route will also feature the largest underground interchange station in the network, spanning 44,000 square metres with the capacity to handle 350,000 passengers daily.

Since its initial launch in 2009, the Dubai Metro has carried over 2.5 billion passengers, with daily ridership exceeding 900,000 in 2024. With the Blue Line and landmark stations like Emaar Properties Station, Dubai is set to welcome over 320 million metro passengers annually by 2031, continuing its legacy as a global leader in urban transportation and smart infrastructure.