These tunnels would essentially function as fast freeways, where vehicles and passenger pods latch onto electric skates and get shuttled along at up to 150 mph (241 km/h). There would on and off ramps every mile or so, each with a dedicated side tunnel to avoid logjams. These tunnels could also form part of a Hyperloop system over larger distances between cities.

While all of that remains a ways off, the company is making progress on its proof-of-concept tunnel. Photos shared by Musk in October showed a fully concreted tunnel complete with tracks and cables that he said at the time measured 500 ft (152.4 m) and within three of four months would stretch to around 2 mi (3.2 km).

 

Eoin Treacy's view

I have to admit that my first reaction to the Boring Company’s announcement of tunnels for the LA area was something to akin “Has anyone told Elon Musk that Los Angeles is prone to earthquakes?” After all the idea of tunnels is all well and good until they turn into coffins. 

The rejoinder today would be that tunnels are immune to wildfires. Less that 8 miles from where I live the mountain between here and the Valley is on fire, which makes me glad I work from home and on flat ground. A lot of the people who pay city taxes in Los Angeles live in the areas currently burning, suggesting the Boring Company may get a leg up from the fires regardless of the safety concerns inherent in its plan.