On the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Elon Musk's The Boring Company to begin implementing an advanced passenger transport tunnel project in the emirate, branded Dubai Loop.
The project will deploy next-generation tunnelling and transport technologies aimed at transforming Dubai’s mobility ecosystem, improving transport efficiency and easing traffic flow in high-density urban areas.
The agreement was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, and James Fitzgerald, Global Vice President of Business Development at The Boring Company, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Under the agreement, the first phase of the project will involve the construction of a 6.4km pilot route comprising four stations, connecting the Dubai International Financial Centre with Dubai Mall. This initial phase will serve as the foundation for the full project, which is planned to extend to 22.2km with 19 stations, linking Dubai World Trade Centre and the financial district with Business Bay.
The Dubai Loop project will feature tunnels with a diameter of 3.6 metres, dedicated to vehicle transport. Advanced tunnelling technologies will be used to enable faster delivery, lower construction costs and reduced disruption to existing roads and utilities compared with conventional transport systems.
The cost of the first phase is estimated at approximately AED565mn, with an expected delivery period of around one year following the completion of design works and preparatory requirements. The total cost of the full route is estimated at around AED2bn, with an anticipated implementation period of approximately three years.
Al Tayer said the project represents a qualitative addition to Dubai’s transport ecosystem by enhancing integration between different modes of mobility and providing flexible, efficient first- and last-mile solutions. He noted that studies indicate the pilot route is expected to serve around 13,000 passengers per day, while the full network could accommodate approximately 30,000 passengers daily.
He added that the agreement aligns with the leadership’s directives to strengthen strategic partnerships with global innovators in advanced technologies, supporting Dubai’s ambition to remain among the world’s leading cities for future mobility solutions while improving quality of life and supporting rapid urban and economic growth.
Steve Davis, President of The Boring Company, said the company was proud to partner with the RTA, describing it as one of the world’s leading authorities in adopting innovative transport solutions. He said the collaboration aims to deliver safe, efficient and advanced tunnelling systems that support Dubai’s vision for sustainable and future-ready mobility.
The agreement follows a memorandum signed at WGS 2025, under which the RTA and The Boring Company conducted detailed feasibility and technical studies. As part of the study phase, the RTA provided geotechnical data, information on utilities and structures, environmental risk assessments, and relevant transport standards. The company, in turn, submitted technical and safety studies and development proposals in collaboration with international consultancies, under the supervision of financial and legal advisers, to identify the optimal partnership model for the project.
