Dubai Loop: RTA reveals the first four stations for high-speed tunnel network

Dubai: Dubai Loop, the high-speed underground road system, will feature four stations linking the Dubai International Financial Centre with Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.

In a recent video posted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the four stations were identified as:

• Burj Khalifa

• DIFC 2

• Zabeel Dubai Mall Parking

• ICD Brookfield Place

The first phase of construction was announced on February 3 by RTA. The underground transport project will be developed in partnership with Elon Musk’s Boring Company, with an initial investment of about Dh565 million ($153.85 million).

The first phase will cover 6.4km, while the project will eventually span 24 kilometres. This phase will pave the way for expansion into the full project alignment, which will extend up to 22.2km and include 19 stations, connecting Dubai World Trade Centre and the financial district with Business Bay.

How will the Dubai Loop work?

The system is designed to move people, not cars. Passengers will book trips at stations and be transported underground without driving at any point.

The Dubai Loop will operate as a people-mover system, focusing on first- and last-mile journeys while bypassing surface congestion.

Electric vehicles will carry passengers through dedicated underground tunnels, with trips starting only from designated stations. Private cars will not enter the system. For example, if you are in the DIFC area and want to go to Dubai Mall or a destination on the way, you go to the station and order the service.

The electric vehicles will move independently through the tunnels using an operating system, delivering passengers directly between stations. The tunnels, with a diameter of 3.6 metres, are built specifically for this purpose and are not accessible to the general road network.

Will the Dubai Loop reduce traffic?

The 6.4-kilometre pilot route will connect Dubai International Financial Centre to Dubai Mall, cutting travel time from around 20 minutes to about three minutes.

The pilot route is expected to serve around 13,000 passengers per day, while also addressing first- and last-mile connectivity challenges. The full route is projected to have a total capacity of about 30,000 passengers per day.