Elon Musk's Boring Company has signed a deal with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to begin the Dubai Loop project, marking the company's first tunneling venture outside the United States. The agreement was signed during the World Governments Summit 2026, with Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai RTA, and James Fitzgerald, global vice president of business development at The Boring Company, representing their respective organizations. The Dubai Loop aims to revolutionize urban mobility in high-density areas by utilizing underground vehicle tunnels, offering faster construction and reduced surface disruption compared to traditional transport systems. The initial phase involves constructing a 4-mile (6.4 km) pilot route with four stations, connecting the Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Mall. This phase will serve as a foundation for the full project, which could extend up to 14 miles (22.5 km) with 19 stations, linking the Dubai World Trade Centre, the financial district, and Business Bay. The tunnels, with a diameter of 12 feet (3.6 meters), will exclusively accommodate vehicle transport. Construction methods are designed to minimize costs and disruption to existing infrastructure. The pilot phase is estimated to cost $154 million and will be completed within a year after design and preparation. The full network is projected to cost $545 million and will take approximately three years to implement. This project is a significant step towards enhancing smart and sustainable mobility in Dubai, as highlighted by Mohammed bin Rashid, who reviewed the Dubai Loop and Glydways initiatives. The RTA is showcasing the iconic Dubai Loop project at the World Governments Summit, emphasizing its role in providing efficient first- and last-mile solutions through direct, non-stop trips connecting key destinations in Dubai. The Loop system is expected to significantly improve capacity, with the pilot route serving around 13,000 passengers daily, and the full route accommodating approximately 30,000 passengers daily. The partnership between The Boring Company and the Roads and Transport Authority reflects a shared commitment to delivering safe and efficient tunneling solutions that align with Dubai's long-term mobility strategy.
