Dubai Approves AED 34bn Gold Line: 42 km Underground Metro with 18 Stations by 2032

Dubai has approved construction of the Gold Line, a fully underground 42 km metro with 18 stations, scheduled to open in 2032 at a total cost of AED 34bn (USD 9.3bn). The approval was announced on 22 April 2026.

The Gold Line will be Dubai's first fully underground metro line and the emirate's largest single transport infrastructure project. The 42 km alignment will serve 15 strategic areas across Dubai and provide interchange connections with 55 major real-estate developments. The line forms part of Dubai's Rail Network Plan 2032, which also includes the Blue Line and future Purple and Pink Lines.

The network will connect with the existing Red Line at two locations and the Green Line at one location. The Gold Line will also interchange twice with the Etihad Rail passenger service, which provides regional connectivity across the United Arab Emirates. National rail connections are planned at Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates, enabling through journeys between Dubai and other emirates without transferring between systems. This integration with Etihad Rail passenger service will allow seamless travel between Dubai and other emirates across the national network.

The 18 stations will be distributed across the 42 km route, serving residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. The fully underground configuration requires tunnel boring and deep-level station construction across the entire alignment. The project represents a departure from Dubai's existing metro infrastructure, where both the Red Line and Green Line include elevated sections.

Dubai currently operates the Red Line and Green Line, which together form the backbone of the emirate's metro network. The addition of the Gold Line will expand the network's coverage into areas not currently served by heavy rail. The 2032 completion date aligns with Dubai's transport strategy to increase public transport mode share and reduce road congestion.

The Rail Network Plan 2032 encompasses multiple lines beyond the Gold Line. The Blue Line is included in the same plan, with future Purple and Pink Lines also identified for development. The AED 34bn budget for the Gold Line alone reflects the scale of tunnelling and station construction required for a fully underground alignment in an urban environment. The project connects 55 major real-estate developments, indicating coordination between transport planning and urban development across the 15 strategic areas the line will serve.