Musk’s Vegas, Tesla Tunnels Under Fire As Safety Complaints Pile Up

Musk’s Vegas Tesla Tunnels Under Fire As Safety Complaints Pile Up

Elon Musk’s underground transport dream in Las Vegas is facing mounting scrutiny as lawmakers probe a string of alleged safety and environmental violations linked to his Boring Company — raising fresh doubts about whether the billionaire’s projects play by the rules.

Nevada legislators this week grilled state safety officials over complaints tied to the “Vegas Loop,” a growing network of underground tunnels ferrying passengers in Teslas beneath the Strip and the convention district.

Company executives declined to appear, opting instead for written responses defending their safety record.

Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts accused the company of acting “above the law,” as details emerged of repeated workplace complaints, injuries and environmental breaches. Since 2020, at least 17 complaints have been filed with Nevada’s workplace safety agency. One inspection alone proposed eight citations, including claims that workers were burned by accelerants without access to emergency showers.

ProPublica has also reported nearly 800 alleged environmental violations tied to the Vegas project. The company has already paid close to $600,000 in fines, largely for discharging untreated wastewater, while continuing to contest hundreds of thousands more.

Lawmakers also highlighted a September 2025 tunnel accident in which a worker was crushed between massive pipes and had to be rescued by crane. The company said at the time the worker was stable and that safety remained a “top priority.”

Despite the controversy, local leaders have continued to greenlight expansion. The Boring Company is approved to build 68 miles of tunnels and 104 stations, and Las Vegas officials have praised the Loop as a futuristic fix for the city’s weak public transit.

Critics aren’t convinced. Some fines were quietly withdrawn last year after state lawyers said regulators might struggle to prove violations — prompting Democrats to accuse Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s administration of going soft on Musk.

Meanwhile, the tunnels remain popular with convention-goers — even as some riders admit the idea of collapsing tunnels and Musk’s track record makes them uneasy.

Key Takeaways

• Nevada lawmakers are probing Musk’s Vegas tunnels over safety and environmental violations.

• The Boring Company has paid nearly $600,000 in fines but disputes many allegations.

• Despite injuries and complaints, Las Vegas continues approving major expansion.

SOURCE: MSN