Have you heard about an underground loop in Las Vegas but don’t understand exactly what it is? Here is a quick explanation of the Vegas Loop!
The loop concept is created and built by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company in which an underground tunnel transports people quickly from one destination to another. But it is anything but boring! Vegas is the first city to execute this innovative and fun concept as a cost efficient way to reduce traffic issues. The $52.5 million Vegas loop is built underground the recently expanded Las Vegas Convention Center and helps shuttle people across from one end to the other in minutes which is normally a mile walk and can take over half an hour to trek by foot. The purpose is to provide an easy and entertaining way for visitors to experience conventions. The loop’s debut took place in April of 2021.
THE FEATURES OF THE LOOP
You may be wondering how this is any different from a subway system. To sum it up, it is more of an underground highway than a subway. The loop passengers will quickly get to their destinations since there are no stops between destinations. In addition, the express system vehicles can travel as fast as 150 mph! However, because of the short length of the Vegas tunnels at this point, they are capped at 35 mph.
The chosen vehicle of transportation through these tunnels is not surprisingly the Tesla. It is a zero emissions system that is able to accommodate as many as 4,400 people per hour. While the plan is to have the Tesla’s driving autonomously through the tunnels, for now, live drivers are in place.
THE FUTURE OF HE VEGAS LOOP
In October of 2021, the Clark County Commissioners unanimously approved the Vegas Loop to be extended to a 29 mile tunnel with 51 stations. It will include the resorts on the strip, the Harry Reid International Airport, Allegiant Stadium, downtown Vegas, and eventually a route to Los Angeles. Vegas officials say that the loop system will give visitors more time and money to spend at attractions and sites since their mode of transportation from one place to the next will be much quicker and also less expensive. Here are some examples of fare for the extended loop and travel time.
Harry Reid International Airport — Las Vegas Convention Center Distance: 4.9 miles, Travel time via Loop: 5 minutes, SampleFare Per Vehicle: $10
Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas Convention Center Distance: 3.6 miles, Travel time via Loop: 4 minutes, Sample Fare Per Vehicle: $6
Downtown Las Vegas — Las Vegas Convention Center Distance: 2.8 miles, Travel time via Loop: 3 minutes, Sample Fare Per Vehicle: $5
An entertainment experience that meets sustainability and high traffic needs in an ever growing Las Vegas is a match made in heaven!
