Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, said “build it in Texas” in response to a tweet by billionaire Elon Musk on Thursday about receiving “verbal” government approval to construct a Hyperloop transit system from Washington, D.C., to New York City.
“Texas should be building @ElonMusk Hyperloop,” Castro added on Twitter.
Build it in Texas. https://t.co/zJPRniy5D2
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) July 20, 2017
Texas should be building @ElonMusk Hyperloop.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) July 20, 2017
Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, said that he “just received govt [government] approval” to build an underground transit system that would take riders from New York City to Washington, D.C., in 29 minutes and have stops in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
“Just received verbal govt approval for The Boring Company to build an underground NY-Phil-Balt-DC Hyperloop. NY-DC in 29 mins,” Musk tweeted.
Just received verbal govt approval for The Boring Company to build an underground NY-Phil-Balt-DC Hyperloop. NY-DC in 29 mins.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 20, 2017
Musk later tweeted that while the Boring Company has not received formal approval, he is “optimistic” that the project will receive it quickly and encouraged supporters of the new transit system to press their representatives on the issue.
“If you want this to happen fast, please let your local & federal elected representatives know. Makes a big difference if they hear from you,” Musk said.
If you want this to happen fast, please let your local & federal elected representatives know. Makes a big difference if they hear from you.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 20, 2017
The Boring Company was founding by Musk in 2016 with the focus of building tunnels to address transportation needs. The Hyperloop would use tunnels to create a low pressure tube, aimed at creating a very low-friction and low-air resistance environment, underground to transport pods at very high speeds.
“The Boring Company has had a number of promising conversations with local, state, and federal government officials. With a few exceptions, feedback has been very positive, and we have received verbal support from key government decision makers for tunneling plans, including a Hyperloop route from New York to Washington, D.C.,” a Boring Company spokesman told the Washington Examiner.
“We look forward to future conversations with the cities and states along this route, and we expect to secure the formal approvals necessary to break ground later this year,” the spokesman said.
