Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Elon Musk’s construction firm The Boring Company are exploring the development of the Dubai Loop, an underground high-speed transport system aimed at easing congestion in the city’s most populated areas, according to a statement.

The details: The two entities signed an MoU to explore the development of a 17-kilometer underground transport system with 11 stations and a capacity to move over 20k passengers per hour in an initial phase. The plan is to later accommodate some 100k passengers through the underground transport network.

What we know: AI Minister Omar Sultan Al Olama first revealed the partnership during a plenary session with Musk at the World Governments Summit, saying the project will provide seamless, point-to-point travel, Gulf News reports.

Musk described the Loop as a “wormhole” that will revolutionize urban mobility. “You’re going to wormhole from one part of the city, boom, and you're out in another spot,” he said. The project’s safety and resilience were key discussion points, with Musk noting that underground tunnels offer protection from earthquakes, extreme weather, and even global catastrophes.

Musk’s tunneling firm, the Boring Company, has developed a similar Loop project in Las Vegas, using autonomous electric vehicles to transport passengers through underground tunnels. The first phase of the Loop — involving three stations and spanning 1.7 miles — was built in a year with some USD 47 mn in investments poured into developing the stations, according to The Boring Company’s website.

Tags: