The “Las Olas Loop” will take passengers from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the beach via Teslas and will cost between $5-$8 per person.
What We Know:
- Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis tweeted the news on Tuesday. Trantalis wrote that local lawmakers accepted a proposal from Elon Musk’s The Boring Company to build an underground transit system. He also added that the city would take other firms’ proposals within the next 45 days.
Fort Lauderdale formally accepted tonight a proposal from @elonmusk‘s @boringcompany to build an underground transit system between downtown and the beach. Other firms have 45 days to submit competing proposals. This could be a truly innovative way to reduce traffic congestion. pic.twitter.com/R7Bh2NPVnl
— Mayor Dean J. Trantalis (@DeanTrantalis) July 7, 2021
- According to a statement from the City of Fort Lauderdale, the tunnel differs from a subway system because the number of cars can vary based on the number of requests. Additionally, travelers would travel directly to their destination. City officials did not release further information on the project, citing that state law prohibits them from releasing specifics until after the bidding process finishes.
- Named after Fort Lauderdale’s famous Las Olas Boulevard, the loop will be the second tunnel created by The Boring Co.; Musk’s establishment previously created an underground transit in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Loop currently takes commuters across the location. The Boring Company intends to expand the transportation system to travel to the Strip, Allegiant Stadium, McCarran International Airport, and downtown Las Vegas. Eventually, they may also widen the shuttle’s travels to Los Angeles.
- The Boring Company and the City of Fort Lauderdale have not announced if the Las Olas Loop’s cars will be driverless. As of late, the LVCC Loops holds drivers for the Tesla, but The Boring Co. and officials want to transition to autonomous vehicle operations.
Although the LVCC took one year to build, Musk believes he can complete the Las Olas Loop project in six months.
