Elon Musk's Vegas Loop tunnel construction reaches off-strip Virgin Hotels resort

Digging on the next tunnel of the Boring Company’s Vegas Loop has reached the off-Strip Virgin Hotels resort, Elon Musk-owned Boring Company announced via its X account on Friday. The tunnel is part of the University Center Drive loop. 

According to the Las Vega Review-Journal, tunneling on the portion began last month at a small plot of land the Boring Co. purchased earlier this year for $7.1 million near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

The construction of the loop will continue to the Silver Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center next. Once completed, the Virgin station and the Paradise station will mark the furthest offshoots from the convention center.

Prufrock subtly emerging beneath @VirginHotelsLV

Thanks for being a great partner - excited to open your Vegas Loop station! pic.twitter.com/adpWBByPqr

— The Boring Company (@boringcompany) May 24, 2024

The Boring Co. currently operates a small version of the loop under the Las Vegas Convention Center, connecting the various halls at the facility, and also reaching Resorts World. The tunnel and station work are ongoing in varying phases between the Westgate and Encore.

According to the above-cited publication, the University Center loop will consist of two tunnels for traffic to move underground between the three sites. LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill last month said that he expected at least one of the two tunnels to be in operation as early as April 2025.

The Boring Company connects another hotel in Vegas!

Within a few years, you will be able to get to all major destinations in the city super fast with electric cars in tunnels.

No need to imagine, you can try it today between Resorts World and the Convention Center! https://t.co/9UL9mknpSp

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 24, 2024

With the Paradise station's proximity to Harry Reid International Airport, Hill said rides to and from the airport could be a possibility.

The Virgin station could become an important source of commute during Las Vegas Grand Prix weekends, given its proximity to Grand Prix Plaza. The first University Center tunnel is the latest step toward the full build-out of the Vegas Loop system. The Boring Co. plans to feature 93 stations and 68 miles of total tunnels.

The company is eyeing to build stations as far south as Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road where the Brightline West high-speed rail station and a potential NBA-ready arena and hotel project are planned for construction. Stations will go as far north as the Mob Museum downtown, with stops also planned for the Arts District and Chinatown.

Rides in Tesla model vehicles for convention goers between the three expo halls at the convention center are free. Once the University Center tunnel is in operation, riders will be charged a fee by Boring Co.

Musk’s Vegas Loop was approved for expansion in Las Vegas earlier this month with a 6-1 vote. The Clark County Commission greenlighted 25 new miles of tunnels and 18 new stations for The Boring Co.’s transport system.