The Las Vegas Convention Center Loop (LVCC Loop) is an underground transportation system that serves the Las Vegas Convention Center. Operating since 2021, the system uses Tesla Model 3 cars to shuttle passengers among five stations. The Boring Company began construction in November 2019,[2] and has since continued intermittent tunnel drilling for planned stations.[3]
The Boring Company won the $48.7 million contract in May 2019.[4] and began drilling the first tunnel on November 15, 2019, digging at about 49 feet (15 m) per day. The 4,475 feet (1,364 m) first leg tunnel was completed on February 14, 2020.[5][6] The second tunnel was finished that May.[7]
The Boring Company started testing the system with volunteers in May 2021. The test demonstrated the new transport system could move up to about 4,400 passengers per hour with an end-to-end time of about two minutes. In July 2021, the peak passenger flow was recorded at 1,355 passengers per hour.[8][9][10]
In February 2024,[11] following investigation, the Boring Company was issued eight violations and fined $112,000 by OSHA, which the company is contesting.[12] Subsequently, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has assumed an active safety monitoring role in the project.[13] That April, the Boring Company was named among the "Dirty Dozen" workplace safety offenders by the National Council of Occupational Safety and Health.[12]
System
The transportation system consists of twin tunnels in which Tesla cars are driven by employees to shuttle passengers to stops at the Las Vegas Convention Center complex and Las Vegas transportation connections.[14] The loop cost $53 million when it opened in June 2021 and is 40 feet (12 m) below ground. Passengers reach the two below-ground stations with escalators and elevators. The loop is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in length and covers a 25-minute walking distance. The plan is for the cars to be autonomous vehicles in the future.[7]
The Boring Company tunnel boring machine, Prufrock-2, was drilling toward Encore on Las Vegas Boulevard, and had tunneled to Westgate on Paradise Road in 2023.[21][22] In April 2024, the Boring Company announced the Westgate station would be opening soon.[23] Also in April 2024, it was reported that the next tunnel began construction, to connect the convention center to a station located at 3150 Paradise Road.[24] In May 2024, a Las Vegas Loop tunnel was drilled to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, one of four such tunnels prepared for additional future Tesla transportation system stations.[3] In September 2024, the tunneling operation to Paradise Road was completed.[25]
Connections
Boingo Station, Las Vegas Monorail station above East Desert Inn Road, a loop connection
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