Ilon Musk’s tunnels: The Boring Company discusses participation in Amtrak project

Ilon Musk’s Boring Company may take part in one of the largest railroad projects in the United States – the construction of the Frederick Douglass Tunnel, which would connect Baltimore to Washington, D.C..The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have already held preliminary consultations with Musk’s team to assess whether his company can offer more efficient and cheaper construction methods than current contractors.

Why does the Boring Company need Amtrak?”

The cost of the tunnel project has already risen from an initial $6 billion to $8.5 billion, and officials are looking for ways to optimize costs. According to sources, Boring Company officials assure they can reduce the cost and speed up the pace of work. The contract has not yet been awarded, but the Boring Company is seen as one of the potential bidders, along with other engineering companies.

“No decision has been made yet. The procedure will be fully compliant with federal procurement standards,” a U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman said.

Politics and Conflicts of Interest

Ilon Musk’s companies’ involvement in federal projects is drawing definite criticism. In particular, it points to a possible conflict of interest, since Musk is simultaneously:

• leads number of companies, including Tesla and SpaceX,
• works with Donald Trump’s administration as Advisor for Government Efficiency (DOGE initiative),
• is in favor of privatizing Amtrak, although his company is now involved in discussions about its publicly funded projects.

In addition, Tesla and Starlink (part of SpaceX) have already received indirect support from the White House  and federal agencies, raising questions from politicians and investors.

And it’s not just the White House  and federal agencies that have raised questions from politicians and investors.

Future tunnel or dead project?”

The idea of the Boring Company getting involved in infrastructure projects isn’t new. In 2017, Musk promised to build an underground hyperloop between New York City and Washington, D.C. in 30 minutes, but the project never moved forward. In 2021, mention of a 35-mile tunnel between Baltimore and Washington disappeared from the company’s website in 2021.

The Boring Company is now actively seeking new entry points for government contracts. However, insiders say Musk is disappointed with the performance of Boring Company CEO Steve Davis, a key person responsible for implementing “government efficiency.”

Musk has been disappointed with the performance of Boring Company CEO Steve Davis, a key person responsible for implementing “government efficiency.

“We were willing to put our lives on hold to cut government spending,” Davis said in a recent interview, referring to his involvement in the DOGE project.

What is the Frederick Douglass Tunnel?”

The project to replace the 152-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel is Amtrak’s largest infrastructure initiative. The new 1.4-mile-long tunnel is expected to improve passenger and freight service along the U.S. Eastern Corridor. Construction is underway with a consortium of Kiewit and J.F. Shea, but due to budget overruns and time delays

The project is scheduled for completion in2035, but that timeline could change if an alternative contractor or construction methodology is chosen.

The Ilon Musk’s Tunnels: The Boring Company Discusses Participation in Amtrak Project was first published on ITZine.ru.