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Elon Musk is back with another bold claim. This time, he says The Boring Company could build the long-discussed trans-Atlantic tunnel for “1000X less money” than the staggering $20 trillion price tag being floated around. But before you start dreaming of zooming from New York to London in under an hour, let's unpack what's really going on here.
A $20 Trillion Vision Lacking a Clear Path Forward
The concept of a tunnel linking America and Europe has been proposed for many years, but it has mostly remained in the realm of science fiction. Reports from Newsweek and other sources suggest that the estimated cost of such a project could soar to $20 trillion, a figure that nearly matches the entire GDP of the United States! This staggering price tag presents a significant barrier to making the idea a reality.
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Despite some flashy headlines, no plans exist to build this tunnel. Governments haven't approved it, no budgets have been allocated and no construction companies have been hired. In short, it's just a concept. Musk's claim to do it for a fraction of the cost adds to the spectacle, but he isn't even breaking ground on it anytime soon.
The @boringcompany could do it for 1000X less money https://t.co/IXJY63xUCo
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 10, 2024
From Dream to Disappointment
Musk’s comment also ties into his promotion of hyperloop technology, which uses vacuum-sealed tubes to propel trains at incredible speeds. In 2013, Musk popularized the idea with a white paper that excited people about futuristic travel. But more than a decade later, hyperloop has been anything but groundbreaking.
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Despite some test tracks by Musk’s Boring Company and pilot projects by other companies in places like India and China, no commercial hyperloop system is operational today. Many experts have criticized the technology as impractical and overly expensive. In fact, The Boring Company quietly shifted its focus away from hyperloop projects, opting instead for much simpler underground tunnels for cars.
The Concept of Tunnels Is Not a Recent Innovation
For decades, engineers and visionaries have contemplated the construction of a tunnel linking the U.S. and the U.K., a concept that predates Musk's rise to fame. This notion began to gather momentum in the early 1900s but was ultimately rejected due to its perceived high costs and complexities.
Even now, the logistical hurdles are staggering. We’re discussing the construction of a tunnel exceeding 3,000 miles, either suspended in the ocean or hidden beneath the ocean floor. In contrast, the Channel Tunnel linking France and the U.K. spanned just 23 miles and required six years for completion. If a trans-Atlantic tunnel were to be constructed at the same time, it might take hundreds of years to complete.
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What’s the main point?
Musk's claim that The Boring Company could do it for a fraction of the cost is classic Elon – bold and headline-grabbing but with little substance behind it. While breakthroughs in vacuum train technology make high-speed trans-Atlantic travel sound exciting, there's no clear plan, funding or timeline for making it happen. Plus, Musk's track record with hyperloop doesn’t inspire confidence.
At this point, the concept of a trans-Atlantic tunnel is still purely imaginative. While Musk's remarks might spark interest, they do little to alter the fact that this notion is more of a fantasy than a feasible undertaking. Therefore, don't expect to take that 54-minute journey from New York to London in the near future.
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