Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has announced that his tunneling startup, The Boring Company, can build a tunnel from Los Angeles to San Francisco that exceeds high-speed rail.
Technological Marvel
Musk expressed his criticism of Governor Gavin Newsom’s High Speed Rail project from Los Angeles to San Francisco on social media. He stated that The Boring Company could build a Hyperloop tunnel from downtown SF to downtown LA for less than 5% of the estimated $120 billion cost. Musk claimed that the Hyperloop tunnel would be a technological marvel exceeding any high speed rail on Earth.
Elon Musk Alleges California High-Speed Rail Fraud
Musk had earlier alleged that the project was riddled with fraud after California’s Transportation Secretary, Adetokunbo “Toks” Omishakin, shared that the undertaking would require additional funds of over $126 billion. Musk had said, “It’s all going to fraud and bureaucracy.”
Gavin Newsom Touts Jobs Amid Criticism From Republicans
On the other hand, Newsom reaffirmed his stance that the project was necessary for the state. He shared that over 463 miles of the 494 mile-project were ready for construction and touted over 16,000 jobs created by the project. Newsom also confirmed that it had passed all auditing checks.
Background
The President Donald Trump administration had earlier withdrawn over $4 billion in funding for the project. The withdrawal was challenged in a California court but was upheld. Trump’s Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, has also criticized the project, slamming its “monstrous $135 BILLION price tag” and sharing that over $16 billion of the funding came from American taxpayers.
The Boring Company’s Recent Success
The Boring Co.’s Las Vegas underground loop was in the headlines recently as the company claimed the loop helped passengers get to and from expos in the city, moving over 82,000 passengers during the CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction trade show.
Future of Transportation
As the debate over the California High Speed Rail project continues, The Boring Company’s innovative approach to transportation may offer an alternative solution. With its ability to build tunnels at a fraction of the cost, The Boring Company may be the key to revolutionizing transportation in the United States.