Transportation Authority Choose the Boring Company in the Inland Empire

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority decided that Elon Musk's The Boring Comany offers a cheaper, faster alternative to proposals that would build a light rail connection to the Ontario International Airport.

1 minute read

June 11, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Inland Empire Airport

Kit Leong / Shutterstock

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority's Board of Directors recently voted to "pursue a proposal from Elon Musk’s The Boring Co. for a high-speed tunnel linking Rancho Cucamonga with Ontario International Airport," reports Steve Scauzillo.

With the vote, the Authority also directed staff to "postpone a $3 million study of other airport-rail connections," according to Scuazillo. 

The tunnel idea is seen as a cheaper, faster alternative to above-ground rail projects, including the extension of the electric-powered “L” Line light-rail, formerly the Gold Line, from Pomona into the airport terminal. A zero-emission train off the Metrolink San Bernardino Line, and a connection from the Riverside heavy-rail line that has a stop south of the airport were also on a list of rail alternatives.

The decision to support the Boring Co.'s approach to transportation planning is controversial at best, as shown by the less than sparkling track record of the inroads made by the company in other markets, like Chicago, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.


Wednesday, June 3, 2020 in Daily Bulletin

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