The first big operations test for the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop is coming during a conference planned for June, but the lights have been turned on and cameras are rolling.
Media outlets got a sneak peek last week of the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, a $52 million tunnel built by Elon Musk's The Boring Company to connect the ends of the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center.
"The $52 million Las Vegas Loop, a tunnel sitting 40 feet underground, is about 1.5 miles long and has three stops around the Las Vegas Convention Center: Central Station, which is underground, as well as West Station and South Station, which are both above ground," writes Matt Novak in an article for Gizmodo.
But the real question inherent in the fascination with the early tunnel boring efforts of Musk et al. are how futuristic the technology is. The answer to that question, according to Novak: "That depends how futuristic you think a car being driven slowly by a human inside of a tunnel might be."
A Tweet by Las Vegas Review Journal Mick Ackers last week kicked off several days of media commentary.
Footage of what it looks like when a @Tesla is traveling through the @boringcompany’s Convention Center Loop. #vegas #boringcompany pic.twitter.com/ph1DJoTYBi
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) April 9, 2021
The dispassionate approach of Akers stands in contrast to the more exuberant style of the reports on the new tunnel for the News with Shepard Smith on NBC, which was also shared on Twitter.
Elon Musk thinks he has the solution for those who hate being stuck in traffic across the country.
CNBC's @contessabrewer is in Las Vegas with this story. pic.twitter.com/L5w17pZWTe— The News with Shepard Smith (@thenewsoncnbc) April 8, 2021
While the debut of the Loop was met with criticism online from urbanists and transit advocates, the Boring Company is still finding traction in the halls of government around the country. The city of Miami, for example, is pursuing Musk's aid in tunneling under the city in the hopes of alleviating congestion.
Novak, meanwhile, notes that despite the new media coverage of the LVVC Loop, media outlets actually gained very little new information about the project.
FULL STORY: Elon Musk's 'Public Transit' in Las Vegas Still Just Humans Driving Cars Slowly in a Tunnel
Tesla’s Self-Driving Still Not Working in Las Vegas Tunnels
The Boring Company had previously said it was working with Tesla to use its self-driving system in its tunnels below Las Vegas to save costs on drivers, but two years later, there is no clear timeline for “full autonomy.”
Las Vegas Doubles Down on Elon Musk and the Boring Co.
The Clark County Commission wants more Teslas in more tunnels.
Elon Musk Wants to Dig Tunnels in America's 'Sinkhole Capital'
Musk claims the tunnels could ease traffic and "be an example to the world," but experts caution that underground work in Miami is expensive and unpredictable.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)