The advanced ‘Al Wugeisha’ machine excavates up to 30 metres per day, more than doubling the speed of Dubai’s 2007 metro construction.
DUBAI, July 9, 2026 — Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed the first phase of underground excavation for the highly anticipated Dubai Metro Blue Line project. The milestone was achieved just two months after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially launched the tunnelling operations.
The rapid progression of the Blue Line highlights a massive technological leap for the emirate. According to the RTA, tunnelling speeds have more than doubled compared to infrastructure projects executed nearly two decades ago, driven entirely by a new generation of smart engineering solutions.
Evolution of Dubai’s Tunnelling Technology
The RTA traced the evolution of its underground infrastructure work back to 2007, when the first tunnel boring machines (TBMs) were deployed for the original Dubai Metro project.
- The 2007 Breakthrough: At the time, the machinery represented a major engineering milestone. However, the operations progressed at an average rate of 12 metres per day, requiring approximately seven months to complete initial phases.
- The 2026 Benchmark: Today, the Blue Line project utilises Al Wugeisha, a cutting-edge, new-generation TBM equipped with advanced digital guidance and real-time monitoring systems.
“The adoption of advanced engineering technologies has been a cornerstone of tunnel construction since the Dubai Metro project was launched,” the RTA stated, emphasizing its commitment to sophisticated digital systems designed to meet future transit infrastructure demands.
Inside ‘Al Wugeisha’: A Smart Mega-Machine
Al Wugeisha is not just a standard drill; it operates as a fully integrated underground production system.
- Dimensions and Weight: The machine weighs approximately 2,000 tonnes and stretches 163 metres in length.
- Daily Output: It has increased excavation capacity to approximately 30 metres per day.
- Automated Capabilities: Beyond drilling, the system simultaneously removes excavated material and automatically installs tunnel lining segments, creating a seamless and highly precise continuous construction cycle.
Thanks to these automated capabilities, the first phase of the Blue Line’s underground excavation was wrapped up in just two months. The RTA noted that these technological advancements reflect the accelerated pace of Dubai’s urban development as work pushes forward on the rest of the Blue Line network.
