Everyday millions of people leave their homes for the dreaded commute. Enduring congested roadways, aggravation, and not to mention the added anxiety of arriving to work late. At the end of the workday the madness begins again on the return route home, trudging through stop and go traffic while wasting precious time that could be spent with family or other leisurely after work pursuits. While most of us simply yell in our cars and complain, innovators like Elon Musk have a different reaction. Solutions. What can be created to alleviate the problem or at least make it more bearable? While stuck in traffic in Los Angeles, the billionaire CEO and Chairman of various corporations, including Tesla, decided he would develop the technology to create the solution.
Boring Company's Underground Tunnel Photo Elon Musk
Through his new venture, The Boring Company, Musk wants to build an intricate highspeed underground roadway of tunnels. The Boring Company plans to dig a tunnel from his SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, CA, eventually extending the route to Los Angeles Airport. Cars would be lowered underground atop a sled like platform, comparable to a skate. Drivers would not actually drive through the tunnels but instead be transported in their cars by the electric skate at speeds of up to 124 mph. A minibus would also be utilized to transport pedestrians who would rather not take a car through the tunnels.
Boring Company, First Tunnel Digging-Machine: Godot. Photo Source: Wonderful Engineering
The initial digging of the tunnel in SpaceX parking lot was completed quickly since no permits were needed. However, obtaining the approval to extend the tunnels beyond SpaceX grounds has been challenging. The company is dealing with the task of obtaining city and state permits. In August of this year, the City Council in Hawthorne, CA approved a plan allowing the Boring Company to dig a two-mile test tunnel. In the meantime, the project is receiving positive responses from not only Los Angeles, but other cities as well. Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcettie has voiced interest in using the tunnels as a connection between LAX and Union Station. Musk has also had discussions with Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, regarding the idea of digging a tunnel connecting downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport. In July of this year Musk said he has “verbal government approval” to build a tunnel from New York to Washington D.C. Travelers would be shuttled within 29 minutes via Hyperloop, a new transportation system that is still in the early stages of development.
While the full realization of the project is likely years in the making, it will be a welcome alternative for commuters in populous cities who face gridlock traffic daily.