Newly released bidding documents have provided a comprehensive look at how Elon Musk’s The Boring Company plans to construct a tunnel system connecting Universal Orlando Resort’s north campus to its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe. The materials detail previously undisclosed information regarding staffing, construction timelines, tunnel configuration, and operational strategies for the proposed Loop system.
Boring Company Selected as Top Bidder
The Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District voted on February 11 to enter contract negotiations with The Boring Company after ranking it as the highest bidder for the crucial transport project. Evaluation documents, obtained by local news outlets, offer insight into the company’s execution strategy for the Universal Orlando transport system, as reported by Attraction Insight.
Project Scope and Timeline
The proposal outlines a twin-tunnel configuration, with one tunnel designated for each direction of travel. The company estimates that permitting, design, and construction phases could collectively span approximately 18 months, contingent on securing all necessary approvals. The Boring Company indicated its capability to deploy multiple tunnel boring machines and erect temporary support infrastructure, including muck storage pits and stormwater systems, during the construction period.
Staffing and Resources
Bid documents list eight internal specialists assigned to the project, encompassing roles such as tunnel engineers, structural engineers, and tunnel boring machine experts. An additional six subcontractors are slated to manage specialized areas including fire protection, communications, soil treatment, and concrete work. The company has stated its readiness, noting, “We have the necessary internally produced tunneling equipment and personnel immediately available to complete this project for the district as quickly as permits and approvals can be obtained.”
Operational Model and Technology
Operationally, the system is designed to replicate The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Loop model, utilizing Tesla vehicles for direct, point-to-point transport rather than conventional fixed-route public transport. The proposal describes the service as “on-demand, express transportation,” where vehicles are dispatched as needed and system capacity can be adjusted in real time. Stations are envisioned to be built either underground or above ground, with ramp access to the tunnels. The documents also mention the potential future integration of a configurable Robovan for both passengers and cargo, although specific capacity projections for the Orlando tunnels have not yet been disclosed.
Environmental Considerations
While the proposal asserts that the Loop system can integrate “easily into environmentally sensitive areas,” it lacks detailed mitigation plans for Central Florida’s unique geological conditions, including its high water table and limestone bedrock, which is prone to sinkholes. The Boring Company has indicated its intention to engage an Orlando-based geotechnical firm to conduct a thorough evaluation of local soil conditions.