When Is the Koval/Wynn Monorail Station Going to Open?

Now that the Sphere is open, does anyone know when the Koval/Wynn monorail stop is going to open?

This is an excellent question and it reminds us that there was, once, a plan to open a station providing easy access to Sphere.

And as you write, a station at Koval near the Wynn makes a lot of sense. Besides an easy trip to Sphere, this station would also provide convenient access to the Wynn-Encore, Palazzo, the Venetian, and the Venetian Expo convention center. Sphere visitors could park for free at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, or Sahara and ride the Monorail to any and all of those for only $5.

The plans for that station were approved by Clark County in December 2018. In addition, an extension of the Monorail to Mandalay Bay was part of the plans, in order to get as close as possible to Allegiant Stadium. To bring both to fruition, the Las Vegas Monorail got together $33.6 million in financing, of which the Sphere station would require $15 million to $18 million.

Then things took a bad turn. In March 2020 as we all know, the Monorail shut down due to COVID. A little less than six months later in September, it filed for bankruptcy (for the second time in its lifespan).

The bankruptcy filing was part of the Monorail’s plan to sell itself to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which did ultimately buy it for the ridiculously low price of $24.3 million, given that it cost $650 million to build. The LVCVA now operates the system, but the primary reason it bought it was to eliminate the non-compete clause that disallows any development of a parallel transportation system.

Meanwhile, the Boring Company was already commencing the underground Las Vegas Loop, a competing system for which the LVCVA has complete buy-in.

Furthermore, the Monorail's days are numbered due to the cars, parts, and ability to repair the system expiring in the next eight to ten years. Thus, the dreams of opening the Koval/Wynn station and building the Mandalay Bay extension have been canceled.

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thebeachbum Oct-15-2023

Follow Up Question

Is there a plan to tear down the monorail system when the cars can no longer run?

Bob Oct-15-2023

Quid Pro Quo?

I wonder if any promises were made to the Sphere folks concerning a Koval Station?  they did bring the LVCVA a 2 billion dollar Venue that seems to so far be getting Rave Reviews?  Sell the thing to Elon for a Dollar, I bet he could modify Teslas to run on that rail without too much engineering!  Hell, he can send Rockets into space and bring them back and park them on the pad.  Half his loop could be Underground and the other half above ground!  That would save the cost of Tearing the system down, and save the Boring Co. a whole bunch by not tunneling on the east side of the strip. if he ran a rail on the lanes in the tunnels maybe he could go with driverless vehicles as promised in the begining!   Just Sayn'

Hoppy Oct-15-2023

20 20

The Monorail has better views than the Loop.

David Miller Oct-15-2023

I Just Don't Get It

 Just like the Linq High Roller, in a few weeks/months the Sphere will just be another "been there, done that" attraction. I, for one, will probably never see the inside of that orb - the multitude of charges (parking, time to and from, entrance fees, and the multitude of other fees to view any event) will never be worthwhile to me. But, to each their own - just remember, the cost of building and maintaining this object will be paid for by any and everyone who is willing to defray the cost of their curiosity. I agree it is quite a feat of design and construction - but I will be content with viewing pictures of this orb. Scrooge out...

Mike Oct-16-2023

Harrahs Monorail stop to MSG Sphere

Harrahs Monorail stop to MSG Sphere walk
Exit Harrahs Monorail
Turn right past Harrahs Garage (don’t go in casino)
Turn right on Krueger (away from strip)
Turn left on Koval
Turn right on Sands
Roughly .65 miles walk

I'll park the rental car at Sahara for $0 and ride the rail down to Harrahs.  For $5 each way, its worth the $20 and good night visuals on the way back.  

The only question is turning past the Harrahs garage.  Can you proceed straight to Krueger?  Google earth isn't clear enough to tell.  Steps or an escalator down maybe?

Question of the Day - 15 October 2023

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