Drivers will be able to use the ‘Dubai Loop’ as early as next year, according to a report by US-based media outlet Bloomberg on Monday, citing insights from a senior UAE official.
Elon Musk, the American billionaire and world’s richest individual, unveiled plans for the Dubai Loop in February. Designed to be swift, efficient, and weather-resistant, this 17km underground transit system will feature 11 stations and have the capacity to transport over 20,000 passengers per hour.
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In February, during the World Governments Summit (WGS), Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and The Boring Company, based in the US, formalized an agreement to enhance collaboration in tunnel excavation and construction.
Bloomberg’s report on Monday (October 13) detailed the timeline for the ‘Dubai Loop’, quoting Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Khaleej Times has reached out to officials for further comments.
Earlier this year, during a virtual session at WGS, Musk spoke with Al Olama, pledging to revolutionize the transportation sector by creating safe, rapid, and cost-effective tunnels for passenger transit, utilities, and freight.
The initiative is part of a long-term strategy to develop tunnel infrastructure throughout the emirate, allowing travelers to reach their destinations directly without stops.
Alleviating road congestion
The RTA previously stated that the technology used for this underground system would lead to quick execution, costing less than traditional tunneling methods, and causing minimal disruption to current infrastructure and roadways.
The Dubai Loop aims to dramatically reduce road congestion. “Moving commuters from private cars to a dependable underground system can significantly alleviate surface road traffic,” noted Dr. Ahmed Al Mulla, co-founder of UAE-based urban planning and design consultancy Arkat, in a previous statement to Khaleej Times.
“However, the project’s success greatly hinges on station placements. The Dubai Loop needs to serve areas with high demand, be easily reachable, and integrate smoothly with current and future transit systems like the Dubai Metro, Etihad Rail, and bus networks,” added Al Mulla.
