Dubai has unveiled the ambitious ‘Dubai Loop’ project, a 17-kilometre underground transport network designed to transform urban mobility.
Developed in collaboration with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, the tunnel system will feature 11 stations and is expected to transport over 20,000 passengers per hour.
The project was announced at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025, reinforcing Dubai’s vision of integrating cutting-edge transport technologies.
Sheikh Hamdan oversees landmark agreement
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and The Boring Company.
Key features of the MoU
The MoU was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, and John Hering, Lead Investor and Senior Advisor to The Boring Company, in the presence of senior officials. The agreement focuses on conducting feasibility studies, exchanging technical expertise, and advancing tunnel excavation technologies.
How Dubai Loop will transform urban mobility
The Dubai Loop project is designed to improve connectivity across the city, offering high-speed underground transport with minimal surface disruption.
Al Tayer highlighted the benefits of advanced boring technology, which ensures rapid construction, lower costs than traditional tunnelling, and reduced impact on existing infrastructure.
The Boring Company will deploy its state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and engineering solutions to streamline construction. The system is expected to integrate smart, sustainable technologies, ensuring seamless and energy-efficient urban mobility.
Elon Musk on Dubai Loop
Speaking via video link at WGS 2025, Elon Musk described the project as a “game-changer” for urban transport. “It will be like a wormhole—you’ll pop out at another part of the city almost instantly,” he said. Musk emphasised that underground transportation offers advantages over aerial mobility, including protection from extreme weather conditions and reduced noise pollution.
WGS 2025: A hub of innovation
Held under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments,’ WGS 2025 featured discussions on global governance, mobility innovations, and AI advancements. With over 30 heads of state, 80 international organisations, and 140 government delegations in attendance, the event provided a platform for unveiling transformative projects like Dubai Loop.
What’s next for Dubai Loop?
While specific timelines for construction remain undisclosed, the agreement signals Dubai’s commitment to pioneering next-generation mobility solutions.