Dubai and Elon Musk’s Boring Company Greenlight First Route for Underground "Dubai Loop”

Dubai has moved a step closer to introducing a next-generation underground transport network with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) finalising the first alignment for the proposed Dubai Loop. The project is being developed in collaboration with The Boring Company, the tunnel engineering firm founded by Elon Musk.

The initial 17-kilometre pilot corridor will include 11 stations and concentrate on linking two of the emirate’s most heavily travelled districts, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. Authorities describe these locations as anchor hubs that connect the city’s commercial centre with its prime waterfront residential and leisure zone. The underground connection is expected to provide a fast alternative to the congested Sheikh Zayed Road, one of Dubai’s busiest arterial routes.

Designed as a high-speed subterranean transit system, the Dubai Loop will use electric vehicles operating in dedicated tunnels. The network is being planned to handle at least 20,000 passengers per hour once fully operational, significantly reducing travel times and easing pressure on surface transport infrastructure.

First announced in 2025, the initiative envisions a wider network extending beneath key urban districts and integrating with Dubai’s existing metro, tram, and bus services. Each station will be connected to surrounding developments to allow seamless transfers and weather-protected commuting.

The project is expected to reshape urban mobility in the emirate by cutting road congestion, lowering emissions, and offering residents and visitors a reliable, high-capacity alternative for daily travel. Further technical studies and construction timelines for the pilot phase are expected to be released in the coming months.