Officials from the Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District voted on Feb. 11 to begin contract negotiations with The Boring Company, the tunnel construction firm founded by Elon Musk, for a proposed transit system intended to connect key areas around the Universal Orlando Resort.
A Tesla enters the Vegas loop underground tunnel – YouTube, CNET
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The special district board, a local government entity that was created to plan and support infrastructure improvements in the Universal Orlando area, chose The Boring Company’s proposal following a competitive procurement process. The decision initiates talks but does not represent a binding construction contract.
The Potential Project
The proposed system would involve multiple phases of development, with an initial segment planned to run between the recently opened Epic Universe park and nearby hotel properties. Later phases could extend service toward Universal Studios Florida, CityWalk and other nearby destinations.
The Entrance to Epic Universe at Universal Orlando – Photo Credit: NBC Universal
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The scope of the project would see the transit route span roughly four to five miles through stages of construction, though precise technical details and engineering plans have not been publicly released. The district board characterized the selection criteria as focused on “innovative, future‑ready, point‑to‑point” solutions during its public review of bidder proposals.
Board members evaluated responses from three bidders, including The Boring Company and at least two others — V2R and Sunshine Connection Partners — before deciding that The Boring Company’s submission best met the district’s stated needs.
If negotiations with The Boring Company result in a final agreement, the company would be responsible for designing, building and potentially operating the transit system under terms and conditions to be determined. However, officials have not disclosed a timeline for construction or operation, and no costs have been formally announced.
Why Go Underground?
The Universal Orlando Resort area, particularly along International Drive and near the entrances to Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe, experiences high traffic volumes during peak tourist seasons. Visitors traveling between the newer Epic Universe park and existing attractions currently rely on surface roads, shuttles, and buses, which can result in travel times of 15 to 30 minutes depending on congestion. Local planners and district officials have cited these conditions as part of the rationale for evaluating alternative transit solutions, including an underground system that could move visitors more directly between key points in the resort corridor.
A Tesla vehicle driving through the Vegas loop tunnel – YouTube, CNET
The Boring Company is known for its work on the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, a system that uses underground tunnel segments to shuttle passengers in electric vehicles. That network, which opened in 2021, is among the firm’s most visible operating projects.
Should the negotiation phase fail to result in a feasible agreement, the district board would retain the option to revisit the procurement process and consider alternative proposals under Florida law.
What do you think of a potential underground transit for Universal developed by Elon Musk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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