RTA invites bids for $9.2 billion Dubai Metro's Gold Line Expansion Project

Dubai, UAE (Metro Rail Today): Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has invited contractors to submit expressions of interest for the construction of the new Dubai Metro Gold Line, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s ambitious urban mobility expansion programme.

The notice was issued in mid-May with submissions scheduled to close on June 13, as Dubai accelerates efforts to expand its metro network and strengthen sustainable public transportation infrastructure ahead of long-term urban growth targets.

The Gold Line project was officially announced in April by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, who revealed that the mega infrastructure project will involve an investment of approximately AED 34 billion (around $9.2 billion).

42-km Fully Underground Metro Corridor

The Dubai Metro Gold Line will be developed as a fully underground corridor extending more than 42 km with 18 stations across the city.

According to project plans, the new line will pass through 15 major areas of Dubai and is expected to benefit nearly 1.5 million residents. The corridor is also strategically designed to support connectivity to more than 55 ongoing real estate development projects currently under construction across the emirate.

The Gold Line will begin at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and terminate at Jumeirah Golf Estates, creating another major east-west rapid transit connection within Dubai’s expanding urban landscape.

The corridor will integrate with the existing Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro system while also connecting with the upcoming Etihad Rail passenger network, enhancing multimodal regional connectivity across the UAE.

Metro Network to Expand by 35%

Once completed, the Gold Line is expected to increase the overall length of the Dubai Metro network by approximately 35%, further strengthening Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading cities for advanced urban transportation systems.

The project is targeted for completion by September 2032 and is expected to play a vital role in reducing road congestion, supporting sustainable mobility, and accommodating Dubai’s growing population and tourism demand.

Industry analysts note that the Gold Line will become one of the largest metro expansion projects currently under development in the Middle East.

Comprehensive Design-and-Build Contract

The selected contractor will be responsible for delivering the project under a comprehensive design-and-build model covering civil construction, electromechanical systems, rolling stock, rail systems, and associated infrastructure works.

The scope also includes assistance in operations and maintenance support during the initial three-year operational phase after commissioning.

Dubai’s RTA had earlier appointed US-based engineering consultancy Aecom in October last year to provide consultancy services for the Gold Line project.

Aecom’s responsibilities include concept design, preliminary engineering, tender preparation, construction supervision, and oversight during the defects liability period.

Dubai Continues Investing in Sustainable Urban Mobility

Dubai Metro has emerged as one of the world’s most advanced automated metro systems since its launch in 2009, playing a crucial role in supporting urban mobility and reducing dependency on private vehicles.

The Gold Line project aligns with Dubai’s long-term transportation and sustainability strategies, including efforts to promote transit-oriented development, reduce carbon emissions, and improve multimodal integration.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said, “Dubai’s Gold Line project reflects the growing global focus on expanding high-capacity, sustainable urban transit systems. Integrating metro connectivity with emerging real estate hubs and regional rail infrastructure demonstrates a future-ready approach to urban mobility planning.”

Global Metro Expansion Momentum Continues

The launch of the Gold Line comes at a time when cities worldwide are significantly increasing investments in metro rail and rapid transit systems to address urbanisation challenges and climate goals.

Dubai’s continued expansion of its metro network reinforces the city’s ambition to remain a global leader in smart infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and integrated urban development.

With large-scale infrastructure investments continuing across the Middle East and Asia, projects like the Dubai Metro Gold Line are expected to shape the future of next-generation urban mobility systems globally.