Elon Musk's Boring Company Assists Government in $8 Billion Amtrak Underground Tunnel Venture
In the world of infrastructure development, the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project has been a topic of interest for quite some time. This new underground Amtrak route, designed to replace an aging tunnel system connecting Baltimore to Washington and Virginia, has been under discussion since its initial announcement in 2014 by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Recent developments have seen the involvement of Elon Musk's tunneling firm, The Boring Company, in the project. The company is currently helping the FRA assess the costs and progress of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel program. However, it's important to note that no decision has been made on bids for the project yet.
The Boring Company, founded in 2016, has been suggested ways to build the tunnel more cheaply and efficiently during discussions with Department of Transportation officials. The company has also been making waves with its plans to develop a 10-mile tunnel in Dubai.
In the midst of this, the Vegas Loop, The Boring Company's project in Las Vegas, is proceeding without much of the regulatory oversight that a project of such size and scope would traditionally have. This has led to concerns and discussions about the standard procedures for bidding out contracting and subcontracting for such projects. The Department of Transportation and Amtrak have stated they will follow standard procedures.
While the involvement of The Boring Company in the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project has been a topic of discussion, there are no indications that the company is currently involved in the project in Maryland. Similarly, there is no information about potential conflicts of interest regarding Elon Musk’s influence over government projects related to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel or other infrastructure initiatives in Maryland.
Meanwhile, Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, has seen nebulous and problematic pacts with the U.S. government, and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken aim at many agencies that protect consumers, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Elsewhere, the nationwide political movement #TeslaTakedown protests has targeted Musk through his car company Tesla. The company's profits were down 71 percent in the first three months of this year, raising questions about the financial implications of these projects.
In a report by The New York Times, the involvement of The Boring Company in the project was highlighted, with concerns about potential conflicts of interest for Elon Musk. It's crucial to note that these concerns are part of an ongoing discussion and have not been definitively resolved.
The projected price of the tunnel has increased from an original estimate of $6 billion to over $8 billion. Two construction companies, Kiewit and J.F. Shea, were picked by Amtrak to build the tunnel last year. As the project progresses, more information about the Frederick Douglass Tunnel program is expected to come to light.
Gizmodo reached out to the Department and the Boring Company for more information about the project, and we will update this article as more information becomes available.
- The Boring Company, the tech firm founded by Elon Musk, is currently aiding the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in assessing the costs and progress of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel program.
- Despite Elon Musk's tech company, The Boring Company, being involved in discussions about the potential improvement of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project, no official involvement has been confirmed in Maryland.
- In addition to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project, The Boring Company has also been developing plans for a 10-mile tunnel in Dubai.
- The future of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project is a topic of discussion, with concerns about potential conflicts of interest surrounding Elon Musk, as well as financial implications, currently being raised.
