Sometimes I wonder if certain intuitions are brilliant or useless, or if they can really become reality. The Dubai Loop is proof that doubts do not dissolve, sometimes, even by believing your own eyes. And yet, The Boring Company by Elon Musk (you know, it builds underground “bypasses” for cars and buses that reduce travel times in cities) has just signed an agreement to build an underground tunnel that will change the face of mobility in the Emirates.
The initial project includes 11 stations spread over 17 kilometers, with a transport capacity of over 20.000 passengers per hour. And considering the plans for the new autonomous taxis and buses, this is just the beginning of a transformation that promises to redefine the standards of urban transport.
A project that comes from the highest spheres
Il Dubai Loop It was not born by chance. The signing of the memorandum of understanding took place during the World Government Summit 2025 of Dubai, in the presence of prominent figures. On the one hand James Fitzgerald, Global Head of Business Development at The Boring Company, and John Hering, co-founder of Vy Capital and main investor. On the other hand, the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Mattar Al Tayyar, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai.
The presence of Omar Al-Olama, UAE Minister of Artificial Intelligence, further highlights the strategic importance of this project for the technological future of the Emirates.
We are not talking about a simple small tunnel, like the psychedelic and claustrophobic ones launched in Las Vegas, but about an infrastructure that will redefine the concept of urban mobility. A network of rubber-based “subway lines”.
Dubai Loop Technical Specifications
The numbers of Dubai Loop are impressive. The initial tunnel, as mentioned, will extend for 17 kilometers, connecting 11 strategically located stations in the main hubs of the city, with vehicles that will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.
But what strikes me most is the ambition of the project. Once fully expanded, the system aims to handle over 100.000 passengers per hour, radically transforming the way people move around Dubai.
The memorandum also provides for an exchange of information on the specifications and standards required by the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai, ensuring that the project meets the specific needs of the city.
Environmental impact and future vision
The Dubai Loop is not just a transportation project. It aligns perfectly with the Emirates' sustainability goals, particularly with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Reducing surface traffic and using efficient technologies will help reduce the city's carbon footprint.
The initial phase is just the beginning. The Boring Company has ambitious plans to expand the Dubai Loop across the emirate, creating a network of interconnected tunnels that will make travel quicker and more efficient than ever before.
There is no official start date yet, but enthusiasm and support from local authorities suggests the project will proceed quickly.
Dubai Loop, a vision come true
I am fascinated by how projects that seemed like science fiction are becoming reality. The Dubai Loop represents a quantum leap in the way we think about urban transportation. There are plenty of criticisms of the initial design and early creations of The Boring Company, but let’s realize that they were little more than a taste. The combination of advanced technology, bold vision and institutional support will create something much more effective.
The United Arab Emirates is once again proving itself as a breeding ground for innovation, ready to embrace bold solutions to the challenges of urban mobility. With this project, Dubai is not just building a tunnel, it is digging a path to the future of transportation.
And while we wait for the work to begin, one thing is certain: the Dubai Loop It is not just another piece of infrastructure. It is a symbol of how vision, technology and ambition can come together to create life-changing solutions. Dubai is about to show the world that the future of urban mobility is not in the sky, but beneath our feet.
