LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents voted Monday to approve agreements allowing The Boring Company to build and operate a Vegas Loop transit station on the UNLV campus.
The board voted to approve three agreements during a special meeting: a temporary construction easement, a development agreement, and an access license and operation management agreement combined into one document.
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The station will be located on the western edge of the Thomas & Mack Center parking lot near the campus services building. The Boring Company will design, construct and operate the station at its own expense.
UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey said the station represents a multi-million dollar construction project that the university will not have to fund.
“We’re excited to add this to the portfolio of transportation options to the campus,” Heavey said.
The Boring Company will complete construction within 12 months of commencing work. The university will retain ownership of the completed station.
UNLV students across the Nevada System of Higher Education will receive a 25% discount on Vegas Loop fares. Faculty and staff will receive a 10% discount.
Community members voice opposition
Multiple community members and students spoke against the project during public comment, citing environmental violations and workplace safety concerns.
Tony Chavez, a UNLV instructor and community member, said he was “extremely disheartened” by the board’s decision.
“I believe, honestly, that they did not take in consideration the voice of the people,” Chavez said.
Mackenzie Shelton-Lott, a UNLV student senator, asked the board to vote no or defer the vote to request financial impact analysis.
“Many, if not most of the students who make UNLV what it is, strongly oppose the Boring Company,” Shelton-Lott said.
Other speakers also referenced recent findings from the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection that documented multiple OSHA and environmental violations during construction on other loop stations, and one instance of workers being burned by chemicals leaking from the tunnels.
However, those fines were later dropped.
Regents defend decision
Regent Amy Carvalho said she was adamant the agreements be presented to the board for review.
“I think there are a lot of points at which we can say, hold on, or we have a place at the table for any further discussion or changes to this,” Carvalho said. “I think UNLV has done a great job of addressing potential concerns in the future.”
Regent Heather Brown said the Clark County Commission and Las Vegas City Council had already partnered with The Boring Company to build the 104-station network.
“Is UNLV going to not allow UNLV to be part of the existing network? That’s what today’s question is,” Brown said. “It is, is NSHE, is UNLV going to be in or out of the 104 stations or not?”
Regent Carol Del Carlo said she was on the Clark County Commission when the Vegas Loop project began.
“I was on the County Commission when we started this process and there were many public meetings,” Del Carlo said. “I think it’s important that that was brought up. And I want you to know that people were listened to.”
The motion passed with one regent voting no.
Tyler Fairbanks of The Boring Company said the Vegas Loop currently operates nine stations and has moved more than four million passengers. The system moves more than 30,000 passengers on busy convention days.
“We’re absolutely committed to being great partners from a safety and environmental standpoint in the Valley,” Fairbanks said.
Heavey said the station is not intended as a solution to transportation issues but as an addition to transportation options. He said the primary benefit to students would likely come from generating parking fees that would help offset costs passed on to students for parking elsewhere on campus.
“We don’t see this as an either or. We see it as an all of the above,” Heavey said.
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