DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Work has begun on the foundation stage of Dubai Loop, the underground transport project being developed by Elon Musk’s Boring Company with the Dubai government.
The company said the first phase of the project will use 25,000 precast concrete pieces weighing a combined 45,000 tonnes. A recent social media post showed workers at the site with the Burj Khalifa in the background, signaling visible progress on the project.
Dubai Loop is being built with an initial investment of about Dh565 million, or $153.85 million. The first phase is planned to stretch 6.4 kilometers, with the wider network expected to eventually extend to 22.2 kilometers and include 19 stations.
The pilot route is designed to connect Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Mall, reducing travel time between the two points from around 20 minutes to about three minutes.
The system is meant to move people, not private cars. Riders will board at stations and travel in electric vehicles through dedicated underground tunnels that are separate from the city’s road network.
The tunnels are 3.6 meters wide and are built for controlled passenger movement rather than general traffic use. The service is being positioned as a first- and last-mile solution for short urban trips in crowded areas.
The pilot segment is expected to carry about 13,000 passengers a day, while the full network could eventually serve about 30,000 daily riders.
Dubai Loop is part of the emirate’s broader effort to expand transport options and ease pressure on surface roads. More details on construction timelines and station rollout are expected as the project advances.
