Burj Khalifa-Dubai Mall Metro Station Will Get Major Expansion by 2027

09 Jul 2025 • 3 min read

Arina Sherbakova

Editor

One of Dubai’s busiest metro stations, Burj Khalifa-Dubai Mall, is undergoing a strategic upgrade. The station, which now accommodates thousands of daily riders, will become even more efficient thanks to the efforts of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Emaar Properties. Capacity will rise by 65% as the space expands from 6,700 to 8,500 square metres.

The project addresses ongoing increases in passenger numbers. It aims to support high foot traffic during major events such as New Year’s Eve, Eid al-Fitr, and other national events. ^[?]

Metro Ridership Exceeds 10 Million

Since its opening in 2010, the station has seen steady ridership growth, particularly during peak periods, such as New Year’s Eve, when more than 110,000passengers pass through in a single night. The new expansion accommodates further growth as Dubai’s population, tourism, and development projects continue to scale up.

Here’s how passenger numbers have evolved:

2013: 6.13 million
2016: 7.25 million
2019: 7.88 million
2022: 8.83 million
2023: 10.20 million (56,000 daily)
2024: 10.58 million (58,000 daily)

This expansion project responds to sustained and rising demand for metro services, with projections extending to 2040.^[?]

H.E. Mattar Al Taye

Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA

What the Expansion Will Include

As part of Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the station’s upgrade reflects the city’s focus on sustainability, efficiency, and smart urban planning, ensuring the metro system evolves in line with Dubai’s global ambitions. ^[?]

That’s why the project will bring significant changes to the metro station’s design and layout:

Wider platforms and concourses for better pedestrian flow
New escalators and elevators for vertical access
Separated entry and exit gates to reduce congestion
Extended pedestrian bridges and new access points
Additional fare gates to prevent queues
Expanded retail and commercial zones
Integration with micromobility (e-scooters, bicycles) and public transit

How Metro Expansions Drive Construction

The upcoming changes to the Burj Khalifa–Dubai Mall Station are expected to accelerate real estate and construction activity in the surrounding area. Proximity to a central metro station typically leads to property value appreciation and land use changes, encouraging developers to build upward and rethink previously underused plots.

When accessibility improves, so does the appeal of living near a metro station. In cities like Dubai, this often leads to new residential towers and high-density housing developments being planned and built within walking distance of metro lines.

Metro expansions don’t happen in isolation. The station upgrade will likely trigger related infrastructure improvements, from roads to utilities, laying the groundwork for more projects and smoother construction logistics.

Arina Sherbakova

Editor

Construction editor with 3 years of cross-industry experience, now dedicated to crafting high-quality educational content. Specializes in translating technical insights and data into clear, user-focused articles with actionable takeaways.

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