Elon Musk takes aim at insane LA subway costs, says he can dig tunnels for a bargain
Elon Musk Takes Aim at Los Angeles Transit Costs
In a recent development, tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again stirred the pot in Los Angeles, this time challenging the traditional approach to transit planning. Musk shared a viral post that claimed his tunneling startup, The Boring Company, could dig underground tunnels at a fraction of the cost of the current rail projects undertaken by Metro in L.A. The post emphasized Musk’s belief that tunnels are an underrated solution for faster and cheaper transportation.
Currently, Los Angeles is in the final stages of completing a 9-mile subway extension from Koreatown to Westwood, known as the D Line (Purple Line) Extension. The project has a total cost of approximately $9.5 billion, equating to around $1 billion per mile depending on the segment. Additionally, there is a proposed Sepulveda Transit Corridor, which is estimated to cost between $20 billion to $25 billion for a 12 to 14-mile fully underground line beneath the Santa Monica Mountains, with service expected to commence in the late 2030s or early 2040s.
In contrast, The Boring Company has put forward plans to dig highway tunnels in Nashville for an estimated $240 million to $300 million for 10 to 13 miles. While these figures suggest a significant cost difference compared to traditional subway projects, it’s essential to note that Boring Company tunnels are designed for electric vehicles rather than high-capacity trains, resulting in smaller stations and fewer safety systems. This design choice allows for cost savings but also limits the number of passengers that can be transported compared to heavy rail systems.
Elon Musk established The Boring Company after expressing frustration with Los Angeles traffic and what he perceived as slow and expensive infrastructure development. Previous proposals for tunnels in L.A., including a test tunnel in Hawthorne and a private link to Dodger Stadium, faced challenges such as environmental reviews, permitting issues, and community pushback, leading to delays and cancellations. However, The Boring Company’s largest operating system in Las Vegas has seen success, with the Vegas Loop providing transportation beneath the convention center using Tesla vehicles. The system has proven to be efficient, carrying millions of riders with plans for expansion to the airport, stadium, and downtown areas.
One key advantage of The Boring Company’s projects is the ability to move forward quickly due to private financing, avoiding the lengthy approval processes associated with traditional public transit projects. By reimagining transportation through underground tunnels, Elon Musk is challenging the status quo and sparking a debate on the future of transit in Los Angeles.
