Early Reviews of Elon Musk's Boring Co. Tunnel

Take a tour of Elon Musk's idea for fixing Los Angeles congestion.

2 minute read

December 19, 2018, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


After news broke earlier this week that the Boring Co.'s work in Hawthorne, California would make its debut on Tuesday, reports of the experience are starting to roll in.

First, Laura J. Nelson provides a review of the experience. Included in the article is the most complete video of the tunnel's performance, showing point of view, tunnel view, and Elon Musk commentary view as a modified Tesla Model X cruises through the tunnel at 53 mph (not the promised 150 mph).

"The trip through the tunnel took about two minutes, illuminated by the car’s headlights and a strip of blue neon lights tacked to the ceiling. The Model X rolled on two molded concrete shelves along the wall, which were so uneven in places that it felt like riding on a dirt road," according to Nelson. All in all, the Boring Co. has only provided a bumpy ride so far, according to Nelson.

According to an article by Alissa Walker, who also attended the opening, the experience of the tunnel so far is reminiscent of Disneyland. "The tunnel itself—painted white and installed with lighting that changes colors—as well as the spectacle surrounding the tunnel’s opening, was not unlike the opening of a new ride at Disneyland."

Then there's the perhaps most consequential opinion: that of Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas. The "Chicago alderman who was able to take a ride in an underground transportation tunnel built by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk said he still has 'a lot of questions' about how such a tube could be built in Chicago," according to an article by Mary Wisniewksi. The opinions of Chicago aldermen are extremely relevant to the prospects of the Boring Company's profitability, and Musk's ideas about transportation to the future of mobility. "In June, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Musk announced plans for an express, high-speed, underground connection between downtown and O’Hare International airport," according to Wisniewksi. 

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 in Los Angeles Times

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