Dubai Loop Tunnel Construction to Begin Soon, Set to Serve Over 13,000 Passengers Daily

Dubai is set to begin construction of the first phase of the Dubai Loop, an underground transport project developed in partnership with Elon Musk’s Boring Company, with an initial investment of approximately Dh565 million ($153.85 million). The project is expected to play a major role in enhancing the emirate’s urban mobility network by connecting key commercial, residential, and tourist districts through a system of underground tunnels.

Announced less than a year ago by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, the Dubai Loop reflects the emirate’s commitment to innovative and future-focused transportation solutions.

Speaking during a session at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said the agreement with the Boring Company was signed around ten months ago, with execution expected to take place within one to two years.

“Dubai Loop is an iconic project that embodies Dubai’s vision of smart transportation. It is an innovative and sustainable solution,” Al Tayer said.

6.4km Pilot Route with Four Stations-

Dubai will become the second city in the world after California to implement the tunnel-based transport system pioneered by the Boring Company. While the full Dubai Loop will eventually span 24 kilometres, the first phase will cover a 6.4-kilometre pilot route, comprising four stations.

The initial route will link Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, benefiting some of the city’s most heavily trafficked commercial and tourist zones. This phase will lay the groundwork for future expansion, with the full alignment expected to extend up to 22.2 kilometres and include 19 stations, connecting areas such as Dubai World Trade Centre, the financial district, and Business Bay.

The pilot stage is estimated to cost Dh565 million, while the full project is expected to reach Dh2 billion, with an overall implementation timeline of approximately three years.

Innovative Design and Lower Costs-

According to Al Tayer, the Dubai Loop will rely on a network of underground tunnels featuring both surface-level and underground stations, enabling seamless end-to-end journeys.

“With Dubai Loop, the journey begins in a holistic way and in an unprecedented manner,” he said. “The project connects the most important commercial, residential and touristic areas with the most active zones in the city.”

Al Tayer also highlighted the significant cost advantage of the Boring Company’s tunnelling technology compared to traditional metro tunnels, noting that the cost per kilometre is substantially lower.

The tunnels will have a diameter of 3.6 metres and will be dedicated to vehicle transport. Advanced tunnelling technologies will allow for faster construction, reduced costs, and minimal disruption to existing roads and utilities compared to conventional transport systems.

Serving 13,000 Passengers a Day-

The pilot route is expected to serve approximately 13,000 passengers per day, helping address first- and last-mile connectivity challenges across central Dubai. Once fully operational, the entire network is projected to accommodate up to 30,000 passengers daily.

Al Tayer explained that the tunnelling method enables a gradual descent before transitioning into straight-line excavation, improving efficiency and construction speed. He added that the project represents a qualitative leap in Dubai’s transport ecosystem, strengthening integration between different mobility modes.

The first phase of construction is expected to be completed within two years, with plans to accelerate subsequent phases once the initial segment becomes operational. Al Tayer also noted that the project reinforces Dubai’s track record of delivering ambitious initiatives announced at global platforms such as the World Governments Summit.