LAS VEGAS (AP) — Elon Musk’s “Vegas Loop,” a network of underground tunnels used to transport Tesla passengers, came under new scrutiny this week from Nevada lawmakers who raised concerns about alleged workplace safety and environmental violations.
Lawmakers spent hours grilling state safety officials over alleged violations by the Boring Company, a Musk-owned company also planning tunnel projects in Nashville and Dubai. Company officials declined to attend but provided written responses defending the project.
“I think they’re acting a little bit above the law and want to play by their own set of rules,” Democratic Assemblyman Howard Watts, whose district includes the tunnel project, told The Associated Press.
The Vegas Loop first opened in 2021, offering free rides around the Las Vegas Convention Center and $4 to $12 to select hotels, casinos and airports. Tesla can be accessed through the website or at the station. The Boring Company received approval to build 68 miles (109.44 kilometers) of tunnels and 104 stations over the next few years in Vegas, a city that lacks fast and robust public transportation.
Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkeley praised the project after it received approval for the new tunnel in January.
“The city is excited to bring innovative transportation options to downtown Las Vegas and create another way for visitors to experience all that the city has to offer,” she said.
impose fines on companies
The Boring Company has been accused of violating multiple safety and environmental rules. A total of 17 complaints were filed with the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration between 2020 and 2026. ProPublica reported last year that the company was accused of nearly 800 environmental violations at the Las Vegas project.
Of the 17 complaints, one resulted in an inspection and eight proposed fines, including claims that 15 to 20 employees were injured by accelerant burns and that shower facilities were not provided for employees who were sprayed with accelerants. Several other complaints remain pending. The Boring Company has paid nearly $600,000 in fines, much of which went to the local water reclamation district, for discharging untreated wastewater. The company is paying approximately $355,000 in fines with Nevada OSHA and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.
The company did not respond to an email 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 was caught between two 4,000-foot-long pipes and suffered a crush injury inside a tunnel. Watts said firefighters used a crane to free him from the mouth of the tunnel.
In a statement to local news outlets in September, the company said it was investigating the incident and that the safety and well-being of its employees was its top priority. It added that the employee was in stable condition and doing well.
Watts said lawmakers may introduce legislation when they return to session next year to speed up the process of assessing violations and shorten the time it takes to challenge violations.
The review in Nevada comes as Musk’s company has begun construction on Nashville’s Music City Loop, despite opposition from some Nashville officials over concerns about safety, transparency and a lack of local input. The initial 13-mile tunnel will connect the city’s airport and downtown.
Fine withdrawn
Last year, the state withdrew more than $425,000 in fines stemming from a May 2025 incident in which two firefighters suffered chemical burns while performing a training exercise at the scene.
The agency’s legal counsel, Salli Ortiz, told lawmakers that errors and anomalies in the agency’s reports mean they may not meet the high burden of proof needed to justify fines. The state learned that 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 the drill, according to the inspection report.
Democratic lawmakers criticized Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and his administration for being soft on the company.
“The idea that outside pressure influenced my decision-making, influenced our department’s decision-making, or that pressure on me was pressure from the top is not correct,” Chris Sanchez, director of the Department of Commerce and Industry, told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Provide convenient transportation for attendees
The tunnel system has become popular with many visitors, especially during conferences such as the annual Consumer Electronics Show in January. On a recent weekday, a steady stream of Tesla vehicles picked up and dropped off passengers at a stop at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Devin Newcomb, a resident who frequents San Diego, said the Vegas Loop helps him get around the city, and it only helps more when it extends to places like the Venetian.
“It’s great. I love it,” he said.
Florida resident Samantha Mingola has been using the Vegas Loop while attending expos at the convention center. She said it was easier to set up than other rideshares and was convenient because she was staying at a hotel with a Circle Line station.
Still, she said she was concerned the tunnel might collapse and was unsure about the company Musk ran.
“It’s a good idea, but it scares me,” Mingora said on the way to the station.