More options are coming to get from the Strip to downtown Las Vegas. the city has issued the first permit to The Boring Company to begin early work on a privately funded transportation tunnel that would connect the Vegas Loop from the Las Vegas Convention Center to downtown.
The first Vegas Loop station within the city would be located just north of The STRAT. Previous work on the Loop has taken place in unincorporated Clark County.
Downtown Las Vegas continues to grow as a destination for dining, arts, culture and entertainment, from the 18B Las Vegas Arts District to Symphony Park and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Improving access between downtown and the Strip creates more opportunities for visitors to explore what downtown has to offer, while also helping reduce traffic congestion on surface streets.
It’s important to understand what this permit does and does not allow.
This permit:
- Allows planning and construction to begin on the tunnel connection
- Represents the first stage of a potential downtown connection
This permit does not:
- Open the system to passengers
- Approve full construction of the tunnel
- Allow operations to begin
Any future construction or passenger service would require additional permits, reviews, inspections and approvals.
Innovative transportation projects raise questions, especially around safety. Those questions are valid and public safety remains the city's top priority.
Safety Details from The Boring Company
The Tesla Model S, 3, X, and Y have achieved the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's top rating of five stars and have the lowest probability of injury among all vehicles tested.
The Vegas Loop has no internal touch hazards (e.g. a 600 volt third rail), enabling safe evacuation, minimizing potential fire sources and eliminating any dangerous effects of (unlikely) water intrusion (Teslas can safely handle some rain). In the unlikely case that a fire does occur, the tunnel’s redundant, bidirectional ventilation system will remove the smoke to allow passengers to safely evacuate.
Vegas Loop tunnels are outfitted with emergency exits, fire detection systems, fire suppression systems and a fire-rated first responder emergency communication system. The systems are tested frequently with local police and fire departments.
Vegas Loop vehicles and passengers have direct communications to an Operational Control Center (manned 24/7) via Blue Light Stations, LTE cell service and WiFi.
Vegas Loop tunnels are fully illuminated - and if an incident does occur, the project has camera coverage (no blind spots!)
Looking Ahead
All work associated with this project is subject to:
- City oversight and inspections
- Local, state and federal safety standards
- Additional reviews before any future phases move forward
According to The Boring Company, future Vegas Loop trips could connect downtown, the Convention Center, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport in as little as 2 to 8 minutes, with estimated fares ranging from $5 to $12, depending on distance. According to The Boring Company, The existing Las Vegas Convention Center Loop has already transported more than 3 million passengers, and the system received the highest possible rating from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration for security and emergency preparedness.
This permit represents progress toward better mobility and more transportation options for residents and visitors alike. As the project moves forward, the city is committed to:
- Providing clear and accurate information
- Maintaining transparency at every stage
- Listening to and addressing community questions and concerns
View the permit issued by the city of Las Vegas.