The Boring Company lands Universal Orlando contract

The news just broke: The Boring Company has landed the contract to build an underground transportation system connecting the various Universal Orlando Resort parks. This project will connect the current complex to the future Epic Universe park via a 5 km tunnel under International Drive. No more traffic jams to get from one park to another! This announcement marks another major milestone for Elon Musk’s company, proving that its tunnels are no longer just prototypes but viable large-scale solutions. I’ll break down this project, which could be a game-changer for urban transport.

A 5 km tunnel to ease congestion at Universal parks

The International Drive challenge

The route between Universal Orlando Resort and the future Epic Universe park is about 5 km through one of Orlando’s most congested arteries: International Drive. Today, visitors have no choice but to take surface shuttles, with travel times that are completely unpredictable depending on traffic intensity.

This tourist route is literally saturated, especially during the high season. The goal of the tunnel? To offer fast, predictable transport that is totally independent of surface traffic conditions thanks to underground shuttles running in a closed environment.

A project awaited by local residents

Local residents aren’t hiding their relief. Mary Walters-Clark, a resident for 30 years, said she is looking forward to the improvement in local traffic. Scott Heinz, another resident, has long criticized the traffic jams that paralyze the neighborhood.

With millions of visitors flocking to Universal parks every year, the local economic impact is huge. This tunnel could not only smooth traffic for tourists but also give some breathing room to residents who deal with this congestion daily.

Ultra-strict selection criteria

Universal Orlando didn’t choose The Boring Company on a whim. The technical and financial criteria imposed for this contract were particularly demanding. The selected company notably had to have a minimum bonding capacity of $75 million, proof of its financial strength.

But that’s not all. They also had to justify at least 7 years of documented operational experience in the field, as well as the completion of a comparable project of at least $25 million delivered within the last 15 years.

The contract spans 25 years, including the design, construction, and maintenance of the system. These requirements show that this is absolutely not a “media stunt”: Universal wants a reliable and proven partner. The Boring Company met all these criteria thanks to the experience gained with the Vegas Loop, as I recently tested in the Vegas loop with a Cybertruck.

The Vegas Loop as a calling card

Over 2 million passengers transported

The LVCC Loop in Las Vegas served as the major operational reference to land this contract. Since its opening in 2021, this system has transported over 2 million passengers, validating both the business model and technical reliability.

User feedback is generally positive, and the system operates continuously during major Convention Center events. This concrete validation weighed heavily in Universal’s decision.

Teslas in high-frequency tunnels

Technically, the system relies on Tesla vehicles (Model 3 and Model X) running in underground tunnels. Each vehicle can carry up to 5 passengers, with very regular departures. The major advantage? No driver is needed thanks to autonomous driving in a closed and controlled environment.

The concept will be transposed to Orlando with the same logic, but on a larger scale. The main difference lies in the distance: 5 km in one stretch, compared to shorter segments in Las Vegas. I was able to experience this system during a test in the Boring Company tunnels, and I can tell you the experience is smooth and impressive.

An international expansion strategy

The Orlando contract is part of a much broader expansion dynamic. The Boring Company recently signed an agreement with the Dubai RTA to develop a 17 km network in the emirate. This deployment strategy follows a clear logic: start with pilot projects like Vegas, then land major contracts with public and private players.

The company is positioning itself as a credible alternative to traditional subways, with reduced costs and faster construction. Other projects are under discussion in Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio. The Boring Company’s credibility is growing with public authorities, and the Universal Orlando contract represents an important validation by the private sector, following the tunnel connecting the Nevada Gigafactory.

Timeline and next steps

The Epic Universe park is scheduled to open in 2025, but the tunnel timeline has not yet been officially shared. We can expect several successive phases: environmental impact studies, obtaining permits, the actual drilling, and then the testing phase.

Several questions remain: what will be the total cost of the project? What will the pricing be for visitors? Residents are already hoping for traffic relief even before the system is fully completed.

If we compare it to Vegas, The Boring Company went from concept to operational in about 18 to 24 months. My review? The project is ambitious, but the timeline seems realistic given the accumulated experience and mobilized resources.

This major contract validates The Boring Company’s technology on a scale never reached before. Beyond the anecdote, it’s proof that urban tunnels are becoming a viable solution to decongest our cities. Using Tesla electric vehicles in an innovative infrastructure perfectly illustrates the synergy of the ecosystem created by Elon Musk.

It remains to be seen if The Boring Company will deliver on its promises at scale, but the relevant authorities seem confident in this technology. I will closely follow the progress of this project and keep you informed of major developments!