Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

The Boring Company’s L.A. “Loop” Gets City Support

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Elon Musk said Thursday that The Boring Company will partner with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to build an underground transportation system called “Loop.”

Unfortunately, that’s about all that has been released about the partnership. No financial details were disclosed other than a plan to charge commuters $1 a ride. No official timeline was given.

The Boring Company already discussed some of the plans for the network of tunnels last year, including a proposed map.

LAMAP.jpg


The Urban Loop transit would consist of different levels and lanes and carry up to 16 passengers in pods that would travel at speeds up to 150 mph. Musk says passengers could go from downtown L.A. to Los Angeles International Airport in eight minutes. The tunnels will also support Hyperloop technology, which would allow the pods to travel at speeds up to 700 mph.

Skate_5_23_2017_001_S2.jpg


A big challenge for the project is reducing cost. Among those efforts is reinforcing walls with concrete made on-site at the same time they are digging the tunnel. The Boring Company is also using an electric locomotive powered by two Tesla Model 3 electric motors and a battery pack, which allows the company to remove material from the tunnel more efficiently.

Since removing that material is expensive, the company wants to turn it into a product. Musk touted a plan to make bricks out of dirt and rock removed from the tunnels. He said the bricks are better than cinderblocks and can be used to build houses and other structures at a price of about 10 cents a brick.

Musk emphasized that there will be no street closures and the tunnels will not be placed under homes or businesses. Also, the tunneling working will not be heard or felt above ground. “It has to be something where people don’t know it’s there,” Musk said.

The Boring Company is starting small, seeking permits for a 2.7-mile tunnel under Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles. The project will scale to 60 miles of tunnels across the city.

While the city government is receptive, a few community groups have presented concerns. Thursday’s presentation seemed to be an effort to reduce those concerns.

Watch the full presentation below.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/AwX9G38vdCE” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

 
Last edited by a moderator: