LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A plan to build what is billed as a zero-emissions, high-speed, underground public transportation system from Los Feliz, East Hollywood or Rampart Village to Dodger Stadium was announced tonight by a company owned by tech tycoon Elon Musk.
The approximately 3.6-mile Dugout Loop underground tunnel will run from Dodger Stadium to property owned by The Boring Co. near the Vermont/Sunset, Vermont/Santa Monica or Vermont/Beverly Metro Red Line stations. Only one of the station options will be selected.
The project's purpose is to help reduce traffic in Los Angeles, according to a statement released by the company.
Dugout Loop will be entirely privately financed and will not require any tax money, the company said.
Passengers will ride in “autonomous electric skates” propelled by multiple electric motors carrying eight to 16 people. They will travel at 125- 150 mph for a trip that will take less than four minutes and cost around $1, according to the company.
The tunnel will be entirely beneath public right-of-way or land owned or leased by The Boring Co.
Construction of the tunnel and two “1oop lifts,” the surface points at which riders will access the loop system, is expected to last up to 14 months, but The Boring Co. said it would likely be completed in “much less” time.
Street closures will not be needed during construction.
The top and bottom of the tunnel will be approximately 30 and 44 feet below the ground surface, respectively. However, in cases where underground infrastructure, such as utilities, bridge piles or subterranean pipelines exist at greater-than-normal depth, tunnel depth would increase accordingly.
Initially, Dugout Loop will be limited to approximately 1,400 people per game, approximately 2.5 percent of Dodger Stadium's capacity. Ridership could be increased to 2,800 per game, 5 percent of stadium capacity, based on city and community feedback.
Dugout Loop's initial study and notice of preparation will be available for public review from Thursday through Sept. 17. A public scoping meeting will be held at Dodger Stadium Aug. 28.
The company previously announced plans for a tunnel under Sepulveda Boulevard, from north of Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles to Washington Boulevard in Culver City. However, the Dugout Loop will be the first to go into operation, the company said.
The proposal drew praise from Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“Always exciting to see innovative ideas like the proposed Dugout Loop to Dodgers Stadium that could help ease congestion on our roads and make our most iconic destinations more accessible to everyone,” Garcetti tweeted.
Said Dodgers chief financial officer Tucker Kain, “We were excited when The Boring Co. came to us with this project. Whether it is flying overhead in an aerial transit system or bypassing traffic through an underground tunnel, we are always looking for innovative ways to make it easier for Dodgers fans to get to a game. We are committed to working with our neighbors and fans as the project moves forward.”
A proposal to build a gondola from Union Station to Dodger Stadium by a company funded by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt was announced in April.
Metro announced last week that proposal was moved forward to the next level of consideration, sending a “request for information” to the McCourt- funded Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies.
“We welcome innovative transit solutions with the potential to take cars off the road and reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Martha Welborne, the project manager for the gondola project.
“With 56,000 fans attending a Dodger game, we are confident of success for the gondola and there is ample opportunity for other transit options including the Dugout Loop to succeed.”