County OKs agreement for underground transit system for Strip, downtown Las Vegas

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Steve Marcus

Tesla electric vehicles exit an underground tunnel at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Published Wed, Oct 20, 2021 (12:37 p.m.)

Updated Wed, Oct 20, 2021 (5:50 p.m.)

The Clark County Commission on Wednesday approved a franchise agreement for the Vegas Loop, an underground electric transportation system planned for the Las Vegas resort corridor.

The unanimous approval by commissioners represents the latest significant step in the planned expansion of the Boring Co. transportation system, which is in use at the Las Vegas Convention Center campus.

The Elon Musk-owned company wants to construct the 15-mile underground loop with more than 50 planned stations along the Strip, in downtown Las Vegas, and at Allegiant Stadium.

Eventually, the line could reach McCarran International Airport.

County building permits would still need to be granted before the project can proceed.

A tunnel stretching from the convention center campus to Resorts World, the north Strip resort that opened in June, is already under construction.

The tunnels would transport passengers along the loop in electric Tesla vehicles.

The loop itself is expected to be paid for by the Boring Co. with individual resort properties on the hook for their own passenger station buildouts.

Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said Wednesday that the project fits with the city’s long history of innovation.

“This project is going to be attractive for the Las Vegas brand and to visitors from all across the world,” Hill said. “It should lift the spirits of everyone in this community. It’s a great thing.”

The LVCVA has billed the Vegas Loop as a remedy for traffic congestion in the city, which can be especially noticeable during a busy weekend.

One particular weekend in late September seemed to illustrate the congestion.

On the weekend of Sept. 24-25, Las Vegas played host to an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium, a NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena.

That was in addition to all of the other shows, events and appearances that fill the Las Vegas calendar on any given weekend.

“The Vegas Loop will be a game-changer for our visitors in moving them around our exciting destination quickly, conveniently and in an entertaining ‘Only Vegas’ way,” Hill said.

As Hill made his comments during a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the convention center’s Central Station facility for convention attendees, Tesla cars picked up and dropped off passengers behind him along the Convention Center Loop.

Thousands of convention-goers will attend this week’s cannabis-themed MJBizCon gathering.

“What the system will really serve to do is tie all the parking lots in the resort corridor together,” Hill said. “It will expand parking options throughout the resort corridor. That will make a huge difference for events at Allegiant Stadium.”

Hill said construction on the Vegas Loop could begin within a year’s time.

The portion of the Convention Center Loop that will extend to Resorts World is expected to be open sometime early next year, according to Clark County officials.

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