Las Vegas approves $49M Boring Co tunnel

Elon Musk wants the people mover to be operational by the end of the year.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has approved the $49 million Boring Co contract to build a people mover underneath the convention center.

The project consists of a pair of mile-long vehicle tunnels and a pedestrian tunnel, with three underground passenger stations and elevator/escalator access points.

"TBC's contract calls for an underground loop system that offers reduced total costs, less disruption to pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and faster construction time than traditional at-grade or above-ground options while maximizing passenger and pedestrian safety," the LVCVA says. "The loop will be designed for ridership of at least 4,400 passengers per hour and is scalable depending on Las Vegas Convention Center attendance."

The agency is aiming to have its planned convention center expansion complete in time for CES in January 2021. Boring Co chief Elon Musk has a much more ambitious timeline for the LVCC Loop, however.

"Boring Company starts digging Vegas tunnel in 2 months," he wrote on Twitter. "Aiming to finish by end of year."