las vegas — Elon Musk’s “Vegas Loop,” a network of underground tunnels transporting passengers in Teslas, came under new scrutiny this week from Nevada lawmakers who raised concerns about alleged workplace safety and environmental violations.
Lawmakers spent hours questioning state safety officials about alleged violations by The Boring Company, the venture owned by Musk that also has tunneling projects planned in Nashville and Dubai. Company officials declined to attend but provided written answers defending the project.
“I think they are a company that acts like they are above the law and wants to play by their own set of rules,” Democratic Assemblyman Howard Watts, whose district includes the tunnel project, told The Associated Press.
First opened in 2021, Vegas Loop offers free rides around the Las Vegas Convention Center and charges $4 to $12 for rides to some hotels, casinos and the airport. Teslas can be hailed via the website or arrived at stations. The Boring Company has been approved to build 68 miles (109.44 kilometers) of tunnels and 104 stations over the next few years in Vegas, a city that lacks fast, robust public transportation.
Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley praised the project in January after the city issued a permit for a new tunnel.
“The city is excited to bring an innovative transportation option to downtown Las Vegas and create another way for visitors to experience everything the city has to offer,” she said.
The Boring Company has been accused of violating numerous safety and environmental rules. Between 2020 and 2026, 17 complaints were filed with OSHA in Nevada. Last year, ProPublica reported that the company was accused of nearly 800 environmental violations for its Las Vegas project.
Of those 17 complaints, one complaint resulted in an inspection with eight proposed citations, including allegations that 15 to 20 employees were injured after being burned with accelerants and that no bathrooms were available for employees who were sprayed with accelerants. Many other complaints remain open. The Boring Company paid nearly $600,000 in fines, most of which went to the local water reclamation district, for discharging untreated sewage. The company faces nearly $355,000 in fines with the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.
The company did not respond to emails seeking comment from The Associated Press. But in a letter to lawmakers, the company emphasized its safety procedures, including daily inspections and workplace safety training.
Watts on Tuesday also highlighted an incident in September 2025 in which a worker suffered a crushing injury inside a tunnel after being pinned between two 4,000-foot pipes. Firefighters used a crane to pull him out of the tunnel opening, Watts said.
In a September statement to local media, the company said it was investigating the incident and that the safety and well-being of its employees was its top priority. She added that the employee is in stable condition and in good health.
Watts said lawmakers may introduce legislation when they return to session next year to speed up the process of evaluating violations and shorten the timeline for challenging them.
The scrutiny in Nevada comes as Musk’s company begins construction in Nashville on the Music City Loop despite opposition from some Nashville officials concerned about safety, transparency and a lack of local input. The initial 13-mile stretch of tunnels will connect the city’s airport and downtown.
Last year, the state forfeited more than $425,000 in fines stemming from a May 2025 incident in which two firefighters suffered chemical burns while on site for training.
Sally Ortiz, the agency’s legal counsel, told lawmakers that reports from OSHA had errors and anomalies, meaning they likely would not be able to meet the high burden of proof required to justify fines. The state learned that the two firefighters chose not to wear a second layer of protective clothing, and The Boring Company held six safety meetings with the fire department before training, according to inspection reports.
Democratic lawmakers criticized Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and his administration for being lenient with the company.
“The idea that there is outside pressure affecting my decision-making process, or the decision-making process of our department, or that there is any pressure coming from me as a result of pressure from the top, is not true,” Chris Sanchez, director of the state Department of Business and Industry, told lawmakers Tuesday.
The tunnel system has already been a big hit with many visitors, especially during conferences such as the annual conventions Consumer Electronics Show In January. On a recent weekday, the Las Vegas Convention Terminal saw a steady stream of Tesla vehicles picking up and dropping people off.
San Diego resident Devin Newcomb, a frequent visitor, said the Vegas Loop network helps him get around the city, and will only help more when it expands to places like Venice.
“It’s great. I love it,” he said.
Florida resident Samantha Mingola was using the Vegas Loop while attending an expo at the convention center. She said it’s easier to set up than other rideshare systems, and it’s convenient because she’s staying at a hotel with a loop station.
However, she said she is concerned about the possibility of the tunnels collapsing, and is unsure about a company run by Musk.
“It’s a good idea, but it scares me,” Mingola said on her way to the station.