Dubai Metro: Progress in photos before Blue Line launch

On Monday, June 9, 2025, a major milestone was marked in Dubai’s ongoing public transport expansion. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially laid the foundation stone for the first station of the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line.

The Dubai Metro will soon be home to the world’s highest metro station. While laying the foundation stone of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also approved the distinctive architectural design of the iconic Emaar Properties Station, the highest metro station in the world, standing at 74 metres.

Since its launch by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at 09:09:09pm on a Wednesday, September 9, 2009, Dubai Metro has consistently grown in ridership, reaching approximately 2.5 billion passengers.

“Undertaken under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Metro currently constitutes the backbone of transportation systems in Dubai.

Dubai Metro work in progress. With an average daily ridership of approximately 730,000 passengers, the metro today is the preferred mode of transportation for numerous residents and visitors.

May 29, 2005 | Qasim Sultan, then Director-General of Dubai Municipality, and Susumu Uchida, Board Member of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, signing the Metro contract.

August 6, 2006 | Final touches to a foundation piling for a bridge in Al Awir.

Sheikh Mohammed unveils a commemorative coin at DIFC station during the Dubai Metro's maiden journey.

Under construction Union Station. Since opening on 9 September 2009, the Dubai Metro has grown to keep pace with the city’s rapid urbanisation, playing an important role in shaping it into a major global hub for business and tourism, and enhancing its status as a city of the future.

Dubai Metro links vital areas and provides safe and smooth mobility for riders.

Construction workers prepare the steel structure for piers for the elevated track at the site of a Metro station in 2007.

A worker gives the Dubai Metro's tracks a thorough wash as preparations for the opening of the Redline continue in full swing.

March 2008 | The tunnel-boring machine Al Wugeisha breaks through the wall.

April 25, 2008 | Trains are hoisted onto the tracks.

Construction of the 12.6-kilometre underground tracks was one of the most critical parts of the Dubai Metro project.

Workers are busy laying part of the track of the Dubai Metro. The Red Line extends 52km and comprises 29 stations (4 underground and 25 elevated).

Maintenance section at the Al Rashidiya train maintenance depot

A view of the Dubai Metro control room at the RTA Operational Control Centre.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially inaugurates the Route 2020 Project on 8 th July 2020. The Dh11 billion project spans 15 km with seven stations.

Expo Station is expected to witness 35,000 visitors per day during weekdays and 47,000 visitors per day during weekends.

Commuters at DIP station which opened along with Expo 2020 station on 1st June 2021

Jumeirah Beach Residence and DMMC metro station located on a Sheikh Zayed Road.