Las Vegas Convention Center Loop: Breakthrough for Convention Transportation
In early April, select media got a first look inside Elon Musk’s $52.2 million underground transportation system 40 feet below the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Featuring a neon-clad ride in all-electric Tesla vehicles, it makes getting around the 200-acre campus, and potentially other Las Vegas venues in the future, faster and a lot more fun.
“We are excited to have partnered with Elon’s company to bring this transportation ‘first’ to our valued convention customers,” said Steve Hill, LVCVA president and CEO. “The expanded Loop system, when developed, will be a game-changer and a new ‘must experience’ attraction for our visitors.”
Constructed by The Boring Company, the LVCC Loop consists of two one-way, 0.8-mile vehicular tunnels and three passenger stations across the 200-acre LVCC campus, saving attendees about 25 minutes of walking. The stations are located by the South Hall, the Central Hall and the new West Hall, which adds 1.4 million square feet to the existing 3.2 million-square-foot facility.
The system uses all-electric Model 3 and Model X Tesla vehicles and when fully operational will be able to transport 4,400 people per hour in more than 60 cars. It will take less than two minutes to carry passengers across the convention center campus. The underground transportation system is complimentary for convention attendees.
The creation of the underground transportation system was born out of Musk’s desire to solve the problem of traffic gridlock. As a result, the company is focused on building low-cost, fast-to-build underground transportation systems to alleviate traffic congestion and road closures.
Going underground has several advantages as tunnels are structurally safe, weatherproof, noise-free and can meet growing capacity by easily adding multiple levels, according to officials.
Health and safety are also top of mind. Unlike standard public transportation systems, Loop vehicles carry small numbers of passengers, which allows them to travel with people they know and reduces the risk of exposure to airborne diseases presented by crowds, according to The Boring Company.
Plans have been announced to develop an expanded system throughout the Las Vegas resort corridor - the Vegas Loop - which will ease traffic congestion and offer a new transportation option for visitors to Downtown Las Vegas, throughout the Strip, Allegiant Stadium and McCarran International Airport.
The LVCC Loop will have its official debut during World of Concrete, the first large trade show to return to Las Vegas after the pandemic shutdown, on June 8-10.
