en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 8, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the completion of the first phase of tunnelling for the Dubai Metro Blue Line project. The work utilized a new-generation shield system provided by China Railway Group Limited (CREC), achieving an average daily tunnelling speed of approximately 30 meters—more than double the rate of about 12 meters during the initial construction phase of the Dubai Metro in 2007—and completing the first phase in just two months. The project contractor is a consortium comprising CRRC Corporation Limited, Turkey's MAPA, and another Turkish firm, with plans to open the line by 2029.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line project is an expansion of Dubai's rail transit network, spanning a total length of 30 kilometers, including approximately 14 kilometers of tunnel sections. CREC provided three earth pressure balance shield machines with a excavation diameter of 9.61 meters, designed to adapt to Dubai's complex geological conditions and meet the requirements of large cross-section, long-distance construction. Additionally, supporting equipment such as belt conveyors, transport vehicles, segment molds, and cooling systems were supplied, enabling a collective "product ecosystem" export.
The shield machine named "Al Wugaysha," which completed the tunnelling task, measures 163 meters in length and weighs over 2,000 tons. It can operate continuously for 24 hours and is equipped with a high-precision digital guidance system, monitoring and control systems, and an integrated material transport system, allowing it to adapt to various geological conditions including rock and sand layers. The machine integrates cutting and excavation, muck removal, and automatic installation of tunnel lining segments into a continuous operational chain, reducing downtime caused by process transitions and enhancing construction precision and safety.
The main construction contract for the Blue Line project was awarded in December 2024, with a contract value of approximately AED 20.5 billion (about USD 5.6 billion). Within the contracting consortium, CRRC is primarily responsible for supplying railway systems, rolling stock, and technical equipment, providing 28 fully automated driverless metro trains for the Blue Line; Turkey's MAPA and Limak are handling civil construction. Engineering consultancy is undertaken by a consortium of AtkinsRéalis and Parsons, both of which previously participated in the construction of Dubai Metro's Red and Green Lines.
In addition to CRRC, several Chinese companies are involved in the Blue Line construction through subcontracting or technical cooperation. CRSC Casco has signed an integrated contract for communication and signaling systems, responsible for the supply and integrated installation of communications, signaling, integrated monitoring, maintenance management, and virtualized cloud platforms. It has also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the RTA to establish a research and development center and innovation laboratory in Dubai, exploring the application of technologies such as AI dispatching and predictive maintenance in metro operations. In the field of engineering equipment, SANY Heavy Industry has delivered the world's first batch of SDC125 dual-wheel machines to the Blue Line.
As a key infrastructure project under Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan, the completion of the Blue Line will further enhance Dubai's rail transit network and improve commuting efficiency along the corridor. This project also serves as a typical example of Chinese rail transit enterprises collectively participating in major overseas projects in core equipment and signaling systems, reflecting the technological output and business expansion of China's related industrial chain companies in the high-end infrastructure market.
