DUBAI: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the procurement process for the Dubai Metro Gold Line, inviting global firms to bid for the lead consultancy role.
The move is part of the city’s strategy to expand its public transport network and reduce traffic congestion.
The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and run parallel to the Red Line before extending into Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village, and Dubailand.
The new metro corridor is expected to improve accessibility between older and newer districts, addressing growing commuter demand.
Dubai Metro Gold Line
In its initial phase, the RTA has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP), seeking a consultant to oversee various project stages, including concept design, preliminary planning, and preparation of tender documents. The contract also features optional stages covering construction supervision and post-completion support. The deadline for submitting bids is May 2025, according to a MEED (Middle East Business Intelligence) report.
Several global firms have been shortlisted as potential bidders, including US-based Aecom, Jacobs, and Parsons, UK’s Mott MacDonald, Canada’s AtkinsRealis, and France’s Systra. The selected consultant will play a pivotal role in shaping the project’s direction, ensuring it aligns with Dubai’s ambitious urban planning goals.
Blue Line expansion
The announcement comes shortly after the RTA awarded the contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line in December 2024. The Dh20.5 billion ($5.6 billion) project was granted to a consortium of Türkiye’s Limak Holding and Mapa Group, along with China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation’s Hong Kong division.
Spanning 30 kilometres, the Blue Line will include 14 stations – seven elevated and five underground. The route will connect key areas, including Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, Mirdif, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, offering direct links to the existing Red and Green lines.
A key feature of the Blue Line is its signature station at Dubai Creek Harbour, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). The station, which will be capable of handling 160,000 daily passengers by 2040, will serve as a major transit hub. Additionally, the project includes a 1,300-metre bridge over Dubai Creek, marking the first-ever metro crossing over the waterway.
Future metro expansion
Dubai’s metro network has been growing rapidly since its launch in 2009. The new Gold Line is expected to further ease congestion and provide seamless connectivity between established urban centres and emerging residential and commercial hubs. The RTA continues to prioritise mass transit solutions, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in urban mobility.
The Gold Line is projected to be operational by 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Dubai Metro’s Red Line. With these metro expansions, Dubai aims to enhance public transport accessibility while reducing reliance on private vehicles, in line with its long-term sustainability goals.