Dubai Moves Forward on Musk-Backed Underground Transport Project

Dubai’s vision of super-fast underground transport is moving closer to reality.

Speaking at the World Government Summit on Tuesday, Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), announced that construction on the Dubai Loop project would begin immediately, according to Reuters. The project is being developed in collaboration with Elon Musk’s tunnelling company, The Boring Company.

“The project covers 24 kilometres in Dubai, with a total cost of nearly Dhs2.5 billion,” Al Tayer said. He added that the first phase, covering six kilometres, will receive Dhs600 million in funding and is expected to be completed within two years.

The Dubai Loop is designed as an underground electric transport network aimed at reducing congestion along some of the emirate’s busiest corridors. The system will carry electric vehicles through a series of tunnels, offering an alternative to conventional road travel and integrating with Dubai’s broader urban mobility plans.

The announcement revives Dubai’s long-standing ambition to pioneer ultra-fast transport solutions. Nearly a decade ago, the city positioned itself as an early adopter of hyperloop technology, proposing routes that could carry passengers at speeds exceeding 1,000 kilometres per hour. Plans included a Dubai–Abu Dhabi route that would cut travel time between the two cities to around 12 minutes.

Those hyperloop initiatives, however, remained at the pilot and feasibility stage. Hyperloop One, one of the leading companies involved in early projects, ceased operations in 2023, ending the first wave of global experimentation with the technology.

Unlike the earlier high-speed proposals, Dubai Loop follows a more practical model. Rather than vacuum-sealed tubes and extreme speeds, the system relies on electric vehicles moving through underground tunnels. This approach has already been deployed successfully by The Boring Company in Las Vegas, providing a tested model for Dubai to emulate.

If completed as planned, Dubai Loop would represent the first international deployment of Musk’s Loop system outside the United States. Experts say the project signals a shift from visionary transport ideas to tangible infrastructure, with the potential to reshape mobility in Dubai.

Al Tayer’s remarks at the summit underscore the emirate’s commitment to innovation in urban transport. By combining technology, engineering, and investment, Dubai is seeking to translate long-held ambitions into operational projects that address both congestion and sustainability challenges.

With construction set to begin immediately and the first phase slated for completion within two years, Dubai Loop could offer a glimpse of the city’s transport future, providing a high-tech, electric alternative to conventional commuting and marking a new chapter in the emirate’s reputation for ambitious infrastructure projects.