A project that has been in the works for the last seven years is on the verge of announcing a significant development, and it’s refreshing because it doesn’t seem to be a failed government initiative.
Whenever transportation projects come up, it’s hard not to think of California’s troubled high-speed rail line, which is still purportedly in its early stages after a decade of promises and enormous expenditures.
But this one feels different.
‘The project has cost more than $15 billion without a single track being laid.’
This is certainly a project that Donald Trump might have actually supported before his time in office: it’s on schedule, within budget, and it’s something the public seems to really want.
Recently, a social media post went viral, shining a light on Elon Musk’s underground tunnel system in Las Vegas, developed through his cleverly named venture, the Boring Company.
“Roadway entrance finished. Just some cosmetic issues and the roll-up security gates to go,” mentioned a local account on social media.
The following day, the Boring Company offered an update, referencing one of its earlier posts from late 2025 that boasted about its network of tunnels, ramps, and emergency egress shafts.
Yes, the Vegas Loop is approaching another milestone with its airport connector tunnels (each measuring 2.3 miles) that the company claims will be opening “soon.”
The Las Vegas system now includes fourteen tunnels, fourteen stations, and twelve egress points. This leads to a natural question: how was this accomplished?
In 2019, Las Vegas contracted Musk’s company for over $48 million. Construction has been progressing since 2021, when the original Vegas Loop opened to the public. Numerous additional tunnels have been drilled since then, including near the Thomas & Mack Center and the Virgin Hotels in 2024, not to mention the University Center tunnel scheduled for 2025.
Currently, services like the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, Resorts World Connector, Westgate Connector, and Encore Connector are operational.
In contrast, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is grappling with a rail project that, as of August, has consumed over $15 billion without any track being laid. According to reports, a decade’s worth of bureaucracy has yielded just 80 miles of “guideway” — essentially the path for the track.
Moreover, an inspector general’s report indicated that the project might be “on the brink of a financial crisis” by 2027 if the state doesn’t intervene.
On the other hand, the Boring Company, despite its successes, faces its own set of criticisms, including a reported annual maintenance and operations cost exceeding $5 million that Las Vegas has been shouldering.
Even with the anticipated opening of the airport tunnel now set for October, the completion of other projects continues, showcasing to Americans that tangible progress is possible without draining taxpayers dry.
That said, many citizens might prefer to see such advancements take place in larger urban centers.
