Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued the request for qualification notice for a contract to build the new Gold Line.This project comes in as part of RTA’s expansion of the Dubai Metro network.
Contractors are required to submit their qualification statements by 17 August, 2026. This follows the RTA’s invitation to contractors to express interest in building the new Gold Line in May, as earlier reported by MEED. Dubai officially announced the launch of the new Gold Line in April.
Cost
In a post on social media site X, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE vice-president and prime minister and ruler of Dubai, said the project will cost about AED34bn ($9.2bn).
The Gold Line will increase the total length of the Dubai Metro network by 35%. The project is will be completed in September 2032.
The Gold Line will be a fully underground network covering more than 42km, with 18 stations. It will pass through 15 areas in Dubai, benefiting 1.5 million residents.
Connectivity and Route
The project will provide connectivity to over 55 under-construction real estate development projects.
The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and end at Jumeirah Golf Estates. It will connect to Dubai Metro’s existing Red and Green lines and integrate with the Etihad Rail passenger line.
The contractor will be responsible for the design and build of all civil works, electromechanical equipment, rolling stock and rail systems.
The selected contractor will also assist in the systems maintenance and operations during an initial three-year period.
Aecom Awarded Consultancy Services Role in the Project
Also, in October 2025, MEED exclusively reported that the RTA had selected US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the Dubai Metro Gold Line project.
Stage one covers concept design whereas stage two covers preliminary design. As for stage three, the process will cover the preparation of tender documents, stage four encompasses construction supervision, and stage five covers the defects and liability period.
Lastly, the Gold Line project showcases UAE’s efforts to develop world class railway infrastructure. Also, the country has plans to construct a railway line to Oman.
Project Factsheet
Project Name: Dubai Metro Gold Line
Governing Authority: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai
Total Investment: $9.2 Billion
Current Status: Project Approved / Qualification and Tendering Phase
Target Completion Date: September 9, 2032
Network Expansion: Increases total Dubai Metro length by 35%
Total Track Length: 42 kilometers
Maximum Depth: Up to 40 meters below ground level
Number of Stations: 18 stations serving 15 strategic urban zones
Daily Capacity (Projected by 2040): 465,000 passengers per day
Beneficiary Scope: Directly impacts roughly 1.5 million residents and integrates seamlessly with over 55 major real-estate developments currently under construction.
Timeline
- 2026: Concept Design, Route Finalization, and Request for Contractor Qualifications (RFQ).
- 2027: Preliminary Engineering Designs and Formal Contract Awards.
- 2027–2032: Intensive Tunnelling, Station Excavation, and Systems Installation Phase.
- September 9, 2032: Grand Opening and Public Service Launch.
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