Dubai Loop: Elon Musk’s The Boring Company to Build a High-Speed Transport Tunnel in Dubai
Dubai is preparing to launch one of its most ambitious urban mobility projects. The city has officially announced the first phase of Dubai Loop, a high-speed underground road network developed by The Boring Company, founded by Elon Musk. The initiative aims to significantly reduce travel time between the most congested districts of the emirate while introducing a new format of premium underground transportation.
The project is being implemented in partnership with Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and is positioned as an alternative transport system built directly beneath Dubai’s existing road infrastructure.
First Phase Stations and Key Locations
At the initial stage, Dubai Loop will feature four underground stations strategically placed in the city’s busiest business and retail zones. These stations will be located near Burj Khalifa, within DIFC 2, at the parking area of Dubai Mall Zabeel, and inside the international transport terminal of Brookfield Place.
The first tunnel section will directly connect Dubai Mall and DIFC, reducing the average travel time from around 20 minutes to just three minutes, a dramatic improvement for daily commuters and tourists alike.
Technical Specifications of the Tunnel Network
Dubai Loop is designed as a compact but highly efficient underground road system optimized for electric vehicles. The tunnels will have a diameter of 3.6 meters, similar to those already in operation in Las Vegas. The first phase alone will span several kilometers, while the complete network is planned to include 19 stations with a total length of 22.2 kilometers.
From a technical perspective, the system is engineered to support up to 100 vehicles simultaneously during the early stages of operation. The projected daily passenger volume for the first phase is approximately 13,000 people, while the full network is expected to handle up to 30,000 passengers per day once all stages are completed.
Vehicles, Automation, and Future Autonomy
A defining feature of Dubai Loop is its focus on electric mobility. The tunnels are specifically designed for Tesla vehicles, which will transport passengers between stations. Initially, cars will be driven by professional drivers to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. However, Dubai authorities have confirmed that the infrastructure is being prepared with future autonomous driving integration in mind.
Once regulations and technology allow, Dubai Loop could transition to fully self-driving vehicles, positioning the city as a global leader in autonomous underground transport.
Construction Timeline and Project Cost
According to official statements, construction of the first phase is expected to begin at the end of 2026. The initial stage will take approximately one year to complete. Subsequent phases will be rolled out gradually over the following three years.
The financial scale of the project is equally impressive. The first phase is estimated to cost 565 million AED, equivalent to roughly 153.8 million USD. The total investment for the complete Dubai Loop network is projected at around 2 billion AED, or approximately 545 million USD.
Dubai Loop in the Context of Global Tunnel Projects
While Dubai Loop is not intended to break records for tunnel length, it stands out for its urban integration and technological focus. For comparison, China recently opened the 22.13-kilometer Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the country. Globally, the title of the world’s longest road tunnel is still held by the Lærdal Tunnel in Norway, which exceeds China’s project by 2.38 kilometers.
Dubai Loop, however, is less about sheer size and more about redefining how megacities can move people efficiently through dense urban environments.
Impact on Mobility, Tourism, and Car Rental in Dubai
For residents, business travelers, and tourists, Dubai Loop has the potential to change daily mobility patterns across key districts such as Business Bay, DIFC, and Downtown Dubai. Faster travel times mean easier access to hotels, offices, shopping centers, and entertainment venues.
From the perspective of the car rental market, underground transport systems like Dubai Loop complement traditional road travel rather than replace it. Visitors who rent cars for flexibility and long-distance travel may increasingly combine rental vehicles with high-speed underground connections for short city-center trips, especially during peak hours.
Dubai’s Vision for Smart Urban Transport
Dubai Loop aligns perfectly with Dubai’s long-term strategy to become a smart, sustainable, and technology-driven city. By integrating electric vehicles, future autonomous driving, and underground infrastructure, the project supports reduced surface congestion, lower emissions, and improved quality of life.
As Dubai continues to invest heavily in innovative transport solutions, Dubai Loop may serve as a model for other global cities exploring alternatives to traditional metro and road systems.
