The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the American company 'The Boring Company' during the 2026 World Governments Summit. The agreement aims to begin implementing the 'Dubai Loop' project, an advanced passenger tunnel system, using cutting-edge technologies. This is expected to create a qualitative leap in the transport system and enhance the efficiency and smoothness of traffic in densely populated urban areas. The agreement was signed by Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, Mattar Al Tayer, and on behalf of 'The Boring Company' by James Fitzgerald, in the presence of several senior officials from both sides. Under the agreement, the first phase of the project will commence by building a 6.4-kilometer trial track with four stations, connecting the Dubai Financial Centre district with Dubai Mall, paving the way for the expansion to the full project length of 22.2 kilometers, which will include 19 stations linking the business and financial district with the Dubai Creek Harbour area. The 'Dubai Loop' project involves constructing tunnels with a diameter of 3.6 meters for vehicle transport, using advanced tunneling technologies that allow for faster completion, lower implementation costs, and reduced impact on existing roads and facilities compared to traditional transport systems. The cost of implementing the first phase is estimated at approximately 565 million dirhams, with an execution period of about one year after completing the necessary design and preparatory works. The total cost of implementing the full track is estimated at approximately 2 billion dirhams, with an execution period of about 3 years. Al Tayer stated that the signing of the agreement comes within the framework of the wise leadership's directives to enhance strategic partnerships with leading global companies in innovation and advanced technologies, and to consolidate Dubai's position as a global leader in applying future transport solutions and adopting advanced technologies that contribute to improving the quality of life and facilitating the movement of residents and visitors in the emirate, in line with the rapid urban and economic growth it is experiencing. He added that the project represents a qualitative addition to Dubai's transport system, as it contributes to enhancing the integration of different transport modes and providing flexible and effective solutions for the first and last mile. He also pointed out that studies have shown the project's efficiency in terms of capacity and operational costs, with the trial track expected to serve about 13,000 passengers daily, while the full track's capacity will reach about 30,000 passengers daily. In turn, CEO of 'The Boring Company' Steve Davis said: 'We are proud of our partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority, one of the world's leading institutions in adopting innovative solutions in the transport sector. Through this partnership, we look forward to offering advanced, safe, and high-efficiency solutions in tunneling, which supports Dubai's vision for sustainable and future transport.' It is worth noting that the Roads and Transport Authority signed an agreement with 'The Boring Company' at the 2025 World Governments Summit to study the implementation of the project in Dubai. The authority provided the company with geotechnical data, information on utilities and structures, environmental risks, as well as the specifications and standards adopted in Dubai's transport systems, while the company provided technical studies, safety information, and details of the system and proposed routes' development in cooperation with world-class expert houses.
