Elon Musk's Boring Company Faces Challenges in Vegas and Beyond

Ambitious tunnel projects have struggled with delays, safety issues, and missed targets.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Columnist Pat Beall examines the troubled track record of Elon Musk's Boring Company, which has faced setbacks and criticism in its attempts to build ambitious tunnel systems in cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, and Fort Lauderdale. Despite Musk's grandiose promises, the company has struggled with construction delays, safety concerns, and a failure to meet ridership targets.

Why it matters

Musk's ability to generate hype and distract with bold claims has often overshadowed the real-world challenges facing his companies. The Boring Company's struggles highlight the difficulty of translating futuristic visions into functional transportation infrastructure, especially in complex urban environments.

The details

The Boring Company's first major project, the Las Vegas Loop, has only completed 8 miles of the planned 68-mile system, with passengers traveling at a top speed of just 35 mph in Tesla vehicles. The company has also faced issues with worker safety, environmental violations, and complaints about the system's reliance on surface streets. Similar projects in other cities have been canceled or stalled due to cost overruns and technical challenges.

  • The Boring Company started digging in Las Vegas in 2019.
  • In 2021, Fort Lauderdale considered hiring the Boring Company but later backed off.
  • In 2025, a new commission in Fort Lauderdale was described as 'more pro-tunnel', but the project remains on hold.

The players

Elon Musk

The founder and CEO of The Boring Company, known for his ambitious claims and ability to generate hype around his companies' projects.

Steve Glassman

A commissioner in Fort Lauderdale who commented on the city's interest in hiring The Boring Company in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“This new commission is much more pro-tunnel,”

— Steve Glassman, Fort Lauderdale Commissioner (Instagram)

“We have no idea what we're doing,”

— Elon Musk (The Orlando Sentinel)

What’s next

The future of The Boring Company's tunnel projects remains uncertain, as cities continue to weigh the potential benefits against the technical and financial challenges.

The takeaway

Elon Musk's ability to generate hype and distract with bold claims has often overshadowed the real-world difficulties facing his companies. The Boring Company's struggles highlight the challenges of translating futuristic visions into functional transportation infrastructure, especially in complex urban environments.