Dubai announced a futuristic travel plan a few years back. Yes, we are talking about the one backed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company. Finally, RTA has unveiled that the Dubai Loop project will soon enter the first phase of construction. A tunnel-based transport system developed with Elon Musk’s Boring Company. With an initial investment of around AED565 million, this project aims to reduce the load on busy roads in Dubai.
Dubai Loop Tunnel Project To Begin Soon, Set To Move 13,000 Passengers Daily
تقدّم #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات، خلال #القمة_العالمية_للحكومات مشروعها الأيقوني دبي لووب، الذي يعزّز التنقل الذكي تحت الأرض، ويدعم رحلات الميل الأول والأخير, عبر رحلات مباشرة بدون توقف تربط مناطق الجذب الرئيسة في #دبي.
المزيد بانتظارك في القمة العالمية للحكومات. pic.twitter.com/nOAwJmMAeg— RTA (@rta_dubai) February 4, 2026
The announcement came less than a year after Sheikh Hamdan first revealed the plan. According to a report mentioned by Gulf News, the Dubai Loop will serve major areas like DIFC, Dubai Mall, and Burj Khalifa in its initial phase.
What The Dubai Loop Will Look Like On Day One
The first phase of the Dubai Loop will cover a 6.4-kilometre pilot route with four underground stations. These stations will link DIFC directly to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. Once construction begins, it will become the second city in the world after California to adopt the Boring Company’s tunnel transport system. If it performs as expected, the project will expand into a much larger network across central Dubai.
A Bigger Network Is Already On The Drawing Board
The full Dubai Loop project is planned to stretch up to 22.2 kilometres and include 19 stations. This expanded network will connect the Dubai World Trade Centre, the financial district, and Business Bay. Dubai will soon have a strong underground link between commercial and residential zones.
The complete system is estimated to cost around AED2 billion and could be delivered within three years. Officials expect the pilot route to pave the way for faster approvals and quicker rollouts in later stages.
Why This Tunnel System Is Different
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority says the Dubai Loop is cheaper and faster to build than traditional metro tunnels. The tunnels will have a diameter of 3.6 metres and are designed specifically for vehicle transport, not trains.
The construction method allows for a gradual descent before straight-line tunnelling begins. This reduces disruption to roads and utilities above ground and speeds up delivery.
Also Read:From Etihad Rail To Electric Abra, 11 Futuristic Transport Systems Coming Soon To The UAE!
Built For Daily Commutes, Not Just Headlines
The pilot route alone is expected to serve more than 13,000 passengers every day. Construction of the initial phase should finish within two years. Overall, Dubai Loop is a practical move to keep a fast-growing city moving, quietly and efficiently, underground.
Cover Image Courtesy: Dubai RTA/X
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First Published: February 04, 2026 12:03 PM