I am currently attending SEMA in Las Vegas this year, and it’s definitely an exciting place to be, especially if you’re an early riser like me. After just two hours, I needed a break from the hustle and bustle, so I decided to check out the highly talked about Tesla Loop. However, I must say, it was quite underwhelming.
The Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, also known as the LVCC Loop, was constructed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company at a staggering cost of $52.5 million. This system of tunnels primarily connects the Las Vegas Convention Center, with plans to expand and connect the Las Vegas Airport and Downtown Las Vegas, totaling 19 miles of tunnels. The fares for this transportation service range from $5 to $12, depending on your destination.
I made my way to the designated lane that would take me to the west station, located on the other side of the convention center. Attendants were on hand to direct passengers, and according to the large screen, the ride to the West Station should only take about two minutes. It’s worth noting that this journey would typically require a 25-minute walk.
The ride itself was quick, with multicolor LED strips running along the tunnel, presumably for aesthetic purposes. However, once I reached the other side of the convention center, I couldn’t help but feel that this transportation experience was both pointless and foolish for several reasons.
First and foremost, the cost of nearly $53 million could have been better utilized for actual transportation infrastructure improvements. Secondly, there seemed to be a lack of accommodations for disabled individuals who rely on mobility devices and may not be able to easily store them in the trunk of a Model Y. This oversight is quite strange and disappointing. Lastly, the concept of solving traffic congestion by merely moving cars into one-way underground tunnels is inherently flawed and shortsighted.
Overall, this underground toll road, where someone else does the driving, feels like a half-hearted attempt at transportation innovation. It raises doubts about Elon Musk’s reputation as a genius. At the end of the day, the LVCC Loop is nothing more than a superficial and inefficient solution.
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