Elon Musk Cleared to Tunnel in Southern California

Elon Musk will get a first chance to prove predictions that the Boring Company can improve tunneling technology after the city of Hawthorne in Los Angeles County approved his plan to build a two-mile tunnel.

1 minute read

August 24, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Hawthorne, California

SpaceX headquarter in Hawthorne, California, where Elon Musk and company will soon be exploring at a more subterranean level. | trekandshoot / Shutterstock

"Hawthorne leaders have signed off on construction of tech tycoon Elon Musk’s first test tunnel for electric vehicles extending west from SpaceX headquarters," reports Sandy Mazza.

"The City Council approved the two-mile underground track Tuesday night in a 4-1 vote," adds Mazza. Tunneling work could now begin any day.

Mazza's coverage includes details on Musk's grander plans for the Boring Company, and its envisioned connection to the Hyperloop. No mention, however, of how such a substantive infrastructural project managed to navigate the city's planning process, not to mention the state and federal environmental review processes, so quickly. 

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 in Daily Breeze

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Rendering of proposed housing development on former Desert Pines golf course in East Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas Golf Course to Become Over 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing

The project is part of an initiative to build affordable housing on shuttered golf courses.

November 20, 2024 - KTNV

Low close-up of busy city crosswalk in Vienna, Austria.

Planning for True Transportation Affordability: Beyond Common Misconceptions

Transportation affordability is important but often misunderstood, resulting in misguided solutions. New research helps identify ways to provide true affordability for economic freedom, opportunity and happiness.

November 21, 2024 - Todd Litman

Car parked at EV charging station in parking lot in Carlsbad, California.

California Governor Vows to Protect EV Credits

If the federal government eliminates the tax credit for electric vehicles, the governor will need legislative support to restart a state-level incentive program.

2 hours ago - The Hill

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

6 hours ago - StreetsBlog NYC

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.