Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the first phase of tunnelling works for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, marking a major milestone in the city’s expanding transport network.
The achievement comes two months after the tunnelling project was launched, with the RTA highlighting the use of advanced engineering technologies to improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency in underground construction.
The authority said the new-generation tunnel boring machine, named Al Wugeisha, has significantly increased excavation capacity. Equipped with digital guidance and monitoring systems, the machine can excavate around 30 metres per day, allowing the first phase of work to be completed within two months.
The 2,000-tonne machine stretches 163 metres in length and operates as an integrated underground construction system. It can excavate tunnels, remove materials, and automatically install tunnel lining segments during the construction process.
The RTA noted that tunnelling technology in Dubai has advanced significantly since the first Dubai Metro project in 2007, when tunnel boring machines completed works at a slower pace of around 12 metres per day.
The authority said the latest technology reflects Dubai’s continued investment in smart infrastructure and supports the development of a modern transport system designed to meet future needs.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line is part of the emirate’s long-term plans to enhance connectivity and expand sustainable public transportation options.
