The Boring Company has constructed 7 R&D Tunnels in 3 different cities for the purpose of increasing the speed, reliability, and safety of the Prufrock-series boring machine.
Location: Hawthorne, CA | Adelanto, CA | Bastrop, TX
Status: Complete and Operational
Loop Test Track
The Loop Test Track is 1.14 miles long, was completed in December 2018 for less than $10 million, and is currently used for Loop testing at speeds up to 140 mph.
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Status: Complete and Operational
PORPOISE TEST 1-3
Status: Complete
Adelanto, CA served as the construction site for The Boring Company's early test tunnels. The Boring Company developed a tunnel boring machine that launched from the surface instead of a subsurface shaft, which impacted key aspects of tunnel construction (including jobsite footprint, duration, permitting, and cost).
Status: Complete
Adelanto, CA served as the construction site for The Boring Company's early test tunnels. The Boring Company developed a tunnel boring machine that launched from the surface instead of a subsurface shaft, which impacted key aspects of tunnel construction (including jobsite footprint, duration, permitting, and cost).
PORPOISE TEST 4
Status: Complete
The PT4 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX featured the inaugural success of craneless/pitless retrieval method, fundamentally altering the way tunnel boring machines are retrieved. By eliminating the need for a crane or a retrieval pit, the retrieval process is rapid, compact, and low-cost. The PT4 tunnel is now being used for Hyperloop testing.
Status: Complete
The PT4 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX featured the inaugural success of craneless/pitless retrieval method, fundamentally altering the way tunnel boring machines are retrieved. By eliminating the need for a crane or a retrieval pit, the retrieval process is rapid, compact, and low-cost. The PT4 tunnel is now being used for Hyperloop testing.
PORPOISE TEST 5
Status: Complete
The PT5 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX marked the debut of multiple new features and techniques, including custom hexagonal segments, automated gantry steering, rapid craneless retrieval, and the first revision of the Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) technology. The PT5 tunnel is now used to test the vertical cassette and liner truck subsystems.
Status: Complete
The PT5 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX marked the debut of multiple new features and techniques, including custom hexagonal segments, automated gantry steering, rapid craneless retrieval, and the first revision of the Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) technology. The PT5 tunnel is now used to test the vertical cassette and liner truck subsystems.
PORPOISE TEST 6
Status: Complete
The PT6 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX mainly tested Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) continuous mining, an upgraded ZPIT liner truck (the vehicle which brings segments from the surface to the front of the machine) and a new real-time navigation system known as "SNAILS on RAILS".
Status: Complete
The PT6 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX mainly tested Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) continuous mining, an upgraded ZPIT liner truck (the vehicle which brings segments from the surface to the front of the machine) and a new real-time navigation system known as "SNAILS on RAILS".
SPACEX-HLP PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL
Status: Complete
The Porpoise Test 6 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX was then transformed into a 500 ft pedestrian tunnel connecting SpaceX to Hyperloop Plaza. The tunnel provides a faster and safer alternative for pedestrians to cross the heavily trafficked FM1209.
Status: Complete
The Porpoise Test 6 Tunnel in Bastrop, TX was then transformed into a 500 ft pedestrian tunnel connecting SpaceX to Hyperloop Plaza. The tunnel provides a faster and safer alternative for pedestrians to cross the heavily trafficked FM1209.