Dubai is looking to transfer part of its transportation network underground

Dubai is exploring the construction of a new underground transportation network; a project that could be part of the city’s broader plan to reduce traffic pressure and change the way citizens move around.

The Director General of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum that a team from the authority is examining this plan. The goal is to create an integrated network that extends transportation beyond the streets and connects ground, air, and underground routes.

Implementing such a plan could provide more space in the city for green areas, sidewalks, and social interaction places.

The reason for Dubai's focus on new transportation solutions is clear: over 11 million trips are made daily on the roads of this city; that’s more than 7,000 trips per minute. Additionally, over 6 million people travel within the city throughout the day; a figure that, according to Al Tayer, may double by 2040.

This plan follows other underground projects that Dubai has introduced in recent months.

One of them is the Dubai Loop; a network being developed in collaboration with the Dubai government and The Boring Company owned by Elon Musk, aimed at reducing traffic using underground routes and Tesla's self-driving cars.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai, the first phase of this project, set to be completed by February 2026, will cost 565 million dirhams and will connect the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to Dubai Mall. The initial four stations are planned to be located at Burj Khalifa, DIFC 2, Zabeel Parking Dubai Mall, and ICD Brookfield Place.

Ultimately, this network is expected to extend to 22 kilometers with 19 stations. The final cost of the project is estimated to be around 2 billion dirhams.
Source: The National News