In a story that could be filled with puns, the Vegas Loop Tunnels have finally reached the Virgin. And as loaded as those words are (or perhaps its just our immaturity) we will not pounce on the Virgin headlines. Elon Musk’s Boring Company recently made the announcement, and added that this new extension is part of the University Center Drive loop.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this most recent expansion of the Vegas Loop Tunnels began last month on a small parcel of land near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which was purchased earlier this year by the Boring Co. for $7.1 million.
Next in line for construction is the extension of the loop to the Silver Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Once finished, the Virgin station and the Paradise station will serve as the farthest extensions from the convention center.
Currently, the Boring Co. operates a scaled-down version of the Vegas Loop Tunnels beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, connecting its various halls and extending to Resorts World. Ongoing tunneling and station development are progressing in phases between the Westgate and Encore.
The Virgin station is poised to play a significant role in commuting during Las Vegas Grand Prix weekends due to its proximity to Grand Prix Plaza. The recent initiation of the University Center tunnel represents the latest advancement in the development of the Vegas Loop system. Ultimately, the Boring Co. plans to establish 93 stations and create 68 miles of tunnels.
Looking forward, the company aims to establish stations extending 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 set to be built. To the north, stations are planned for the Mob Museum downtown, as well as stops in the Arts District and Chinatown.