The development of the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a large-scale infrastructure project, has been officially approved by Dubai to ease congestion and enhance the effectiveness of public transport in the city. The project, which was announced in April 2026, is estimated to cost around AED 34 billion (approximately $9 billion) and is thought to be one of the greatest transport projects in the history of Dubai.

The new line will be entirely underground, with 18 stations, and a length of approximately 42 kilometres. It is intended to link the major destinations of Al Ghubaiba to Jumeirah Golf Estate, which will serve nearly 1.5 million residents. The government reckons that the line would be able to transport up to 465,000 people a day by the year 2040, owing to the city’s high population growth and the growing expectation that people will travel by road.

One of the goals of the Gold Line will be to relieve the congestion on the current Dubai Metro Red Line, which is the busiest line currently in the network. The Gold Line will run partially parallel to the Red Line and will have multiple interchange stations, thus enabling passengers to change routes more efficiently and eliminating the crowding at the busiest times.

Significant Reduction in Congestion Expected

The new line will help to decrease the congestion along the Red Line by up to 23 per cent, the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA) reveals, especially in the busiest areas. Moreover, the project is estimated to remove over 40 million road journeys each year, a factor that will reduce traffic congestion in the city and enhance travel durations.

Another advantage of the Gold Line is that it will enhance connectivity as it will connect with other metro lines and the national rail network of the UAE, building a more integrated transport system. It is planned to start construction after the tender process in 2026 and complete it in September 2032. The line will greatly enhance the commuting conditions in Dubai and will contribute to long-term urban development.