November 5, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Digging Deeper with Elon Musk

Elon Musk is known for putting on a good show and he wowed ‘em at Leo Baeck Temple Thursday, May 17.

Musk was there to explain The Boring Company – the high tech outfit that seeks to drill tunnels beneath much of L.A., creating a new kind of high-tech transportation network.

Digging tunnels and removing earth is “boring” in the words of Musk – but there was a lot of razzle-dazzle in the videos shown at this public informational hearing.

This might be expected from the guy who also started Tesla and SpaceX.

Videos showed futuristic vehicles carrying up to 16 passengers at a time – at speeds approaching 130 miles per hour – zooming to and fro beneath the city.

All this activity would take place more than 30 feet below the earth’s surface.

Musk assured the audience everything would be quiet and clean – “invisible” to the world above.

Musk said that the huge boring machines that operate below ground can’t be heard at surface levels and there isn’t any detectable vibration. There will also be no noise when electric vans take the place of the boring machines.

Passengers – and vehicles, even – would take an elevator down to the proper level when starting a trip. Similarly, upon arrival, an elevator would take the passengers and vehicles straight back up to the surface.

Huge stations won’t be needed, according to Musk. The Boring Company envisions lots of smaller stations all throughout the region.

One big advantage to this idea, according to Musk, is that there is almost no limit to the number of tunnels that can be built.

If the transportation network needs more tunnels, he said, more tunnels can always be dug by simply going lower beneath the earth’s surface.

In the event of an earthquake, according to Musk, being inside a tunnel would actually be one of the safest places one could be. Earthquakes harm surface structures, not things buried well below the surface, he explained.

The Boring Company is seeking to fast track approvals to build some test tunnels that will be used to explore different tunneling and vehicular concepts.

A test tunnel below Hawthorne has been built; now The Boring Company wants to build a 2.7-mile tunnel from Hawthorne to Westwood along the east side of the 405.

Information gleaned from these tests will be incorporated into a bigger plan that envisions multiple tunnels linking all parts of the city, assuming The Boring Company decides to proceed (and it’s all approved).

Musk said the company will provide a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) when it is ready to present a fuller plan, but for now, the company wants an exemption from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) rules so that the company can conduct its tests without delay.

If required to fully comply with CEQA at this time could add years to the time required to bring all these futuristic plans to fruition, said Musk.

Once built – if everything goes according to plan – riders could zoom from Sherman Oaks to LAX in 12 minutes – for a dollar, said Steve Davis, The Boring Company’s project manager. A trip from Downtown LA to LAX would take eight minutes.

The Boring Company envisions a 700 mph “Hyperloop” train that would one day transport people from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes.

Moreover, all this would be done using private, not public, funds.

The Boring Company is in talks with transportation authorities in other regions about building underground tunnels.

A tunnel has been permitted in the Baltimore area. Some along the east coast hope for an eventual route connecting Washington to New York.

Chicago is discussing a tunnel from Downtown to O’Hare Airport.

Rabbi Ken Chasen of Leo Baeck Temple opened the program by noting that the temple can be very hard to reach. Drivers are either stuck on Sepulveda or stuck on the 405.

Chasen said the temple has not taken an official position on the tunneling idea, but quickly added that Leo Baeck Temple was happy to help facilitate public discussion on this issue. Approximately 750 individuals were in attendance May 17.

David Murphy, a local tech entrepreneur who got Elon Musk to fund a Los Angeles-based transportation study years ago, said it would be wonderful if a tunnel could be drilled through the Sepulveda Pass, connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside.

Elyse Arbour, a Brentwood real estate agent, said The Boring Company was actually very exciting. She was not alone in her sentiment; many in the crowd cheered as Musk and his associates showed animated videos depicting how the new transportation system would work.

While applause alone can’t be construed as any kind of scientific measure of public support, it seemed most in the Leo Baeck crowd favored the ideas put forth by The Boring Company.

After all, unhappiness with LA’s traffic situation is the one thing everyone in this town shares.

According to Musk, the tunnel plan is “worth a try.”

Not so fast, say some.

Wendy-Sue Rosen, Concerned Brentwood Coalition and the Sunset Coalition (the petitioners) have filed a lawsuit seeking to require full CEQA compliance, including during this initial testing phase. Rosen is involved with Concerned Brentwood Coalition and the Sunset Coalition.

The lawsuit was filed by petitioners May 2 against the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Board of Building and Safety Commissioners, The Boring Company, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of Culver City.

In addition to seeking procedural cleanups in how this project got as far as it has, Rosen, Concerned Brentwood Coalition and Sunset Coalition are seeking money to cover the costs of the suit and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Rosen and the two organizations are represented by attorney John Given.

Other opponents quoted in a recent LA Times article said if this is a transportation project, it should face the same level of scrutiny as all other transportation projects.

Related Posts

5 Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Succeed in the Gaming Industry

October 15, 2024

October 15, 2024

Gaming is one of the most competitive industries in the world. For entrepreneurs, this industry offers many opportunities but also...

8 Places to Spend Crypto in LA

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its innovative spirit, and as cryptocurrencies gain traction, many local businesses are...

The Best Sites Where You Can Buy TikTok Followers

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

TikTok has been popular as a social media platform with its creativity and popularity. Since it’s the case, many of...

Bitcoin Mining in Los Angeles and Its Economic Impact

August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Once a quirky computer pastime for the geek squad, bitcoin mining has become a significant economic force in places like...

How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Digital Entertainment in West LA

August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Recent developments have shown that so much of people’s daily lives are centered on the internet. A 2021 survey conducted...

Why Choose Local Florists for Your Flower Delivery?

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Finding local florists has become easier than ever with the advent of digital marketplaces. Opting for Nashville flower delivery near...

8 Essential Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

8 Essential Things to Do After a CarAccident in Las Vegas

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

Foreign Currency in International Business Expansion

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Business has transformed into a whole different dimension. The interconnectedness across countries is increasing the feasibility of business expansions. It...

How to Select Quality Solar Panels and Installation in California

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

As solar energy becomes more affordable and popular, many homeowners in California are considering installing solar panels. However, not all...

Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas: A Winter Wonderland of Fun and Festivity

November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023

As the festive season approaches, Las Vegas transforms into a glittering winter wonderland, offering a unique and magical Christmas experience....

Navigating Oxnard’s Public Transportation System: A Driver’s Guide

November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Whether you live in Oxnard or want to visit, it’s useful to know how to get around this coastal city....

15 Tips For Keeping Burglars Out Of Your Business

October 16, 2023

October 16, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of business security, the persistent threat of burglary perpetually looms overhead like a dark cloud. The...

US Gambling Laws

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Whilst casino gaming is a significant part of the American culture, US gambling laws are ever-changing. Prior to the Unlawful...

Reasonable Renting in The City of Angels

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What would it be like to wake up in a bustling metropolis filled with endless possibilities, set against rows of...