Abu Dhabi Teams Up with Elon Musk's The Boring Company to Explore Underground Transport
Abu Dhabi partners with The Boring Company to evaluate underground transport and infrastructure solutions across the emirate.
Abu Dhabi has entered into a partnership with Elon Musk's The Boring Company to investigate underground transportation, utility tunnels, and other advanced infrastructure options within the emirate.
The US-based firm is recognized for its Loop system, which utilizes electric vehicles to transport passengers through tunnels. The company is already developing a similar network in Dubai.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) and The Boring Company will collaborate to assess advanced underground infrastructure solutions aimed at enhancing connectivity, reliability, and sustainable urban development in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement, signed during the Liveability and Investment Exhibition (LIVEX 2026) held in Abu Dhabi, involves leveraging international expertise to evaluate the feasibility, delivery, and operational models of potential projects. It also aims to support the growth of local capabilities through technical and strategic discussions on underground transport systems, utility tunnels, and related infrastructure.
No specific routes, timelines, or project costs have been disclosed, as the agreement is exploratory in nature.
About The Boring Company
Founded by Elon Musk, The Boring Company focuses on developing tunnels for transportation, utilities, and freight. Its Loop system is designed to move passengers directly to their destinations in electric vehicles without intermediate stops.
The company’s most notable operational project is the Vegas Loop in Las Vegas, connecting the Las Vegas Convention Centre with hotels and other key locations. Expansion efforts for this system are ongoing.
In the UAE, The Boring Company is collaborating with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on the Dubai Loop, an underground passenger transport network intended to link major districts and reduce travel times. The first phase includes a 6.4-kilometer route with four stations connecting Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Mall. Precast concrete work for this project began in July.
In September, The Boring Company announced plans to construct over 150 kilometers of tunnels across the UAE, supported by a $3 billion Series D funding round led by UAE and affiliated investors. This funding valued the company at $23 billion. The new Abu Dhabi agreement is separate from the Dubai Loop project.
Statements from Officials
The Abu Dhabi agreement was signed by Maysarah Mahmoud Salim Eid, Director General of ADPIC, and Steve Davis, President of The Boring Company, in the presence of Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).
Al Shorafa highlighted that the partnership aligns with Abu Dhabi's goal of integrating long-term planning with innovation and international expertise. He stated, "We view advanced technologies not as an end in themselves, but as a means of creating lasting value through enhanced mobility, more efficient use of space, greater capacity to accommodate growth and broader opportunities for people and businesses to thrive."
Eid noted that the collaboration would help evaluate the potential role of underground infrastructure in meeting the emirate's future development requirements.
Davis described Abu Dhabi as an ideal setting to explore next-generation underground infrastructure solutions.