The Las Vegas government agency that funded the Boring Company’s first tunnel projects in the city has pledged to take a more hands-on approach to safety on future projects with the Elon Musk–owned company following a string of injuries and dangerous incidents last year.
The safety team at that agency, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), will be working more closely with Boring Co.—checking and inspecting its work both to “make sure that it is done correctly” and to “help guide that effort moving forward,” LVCVA CEO Steve Hill told Fortune in an interview.
Hill’s comments come shortly after Fortune published an investigation into safety incidents that had taken place at the Boring Company’s project sites, including the collapse of a large concrete bin in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center, as well as injuries and other incidents documented by Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration that ultimately resulted in eight citations. Fortune’s investigation revealed that pressure to meet lofty goals at the Musk-owned company had led to a disregard for the safety of workers who were testing and building the tunnels underground and controlling dangerous equipment. (Boring has contested all citations with OSHA)
Hill told Fortune that the LVCVA initially became aware of the incidents that led to OSHA’s citations in June 2023.
“We reviewed them. We got together with the Boring Company in August, and made it clear that it’s important these projects be done correctly, and that we were going to be more involved moving forward in making sure that happens,” Hill told Fortune.
Since the completion of Boring Company’s Las Vegas tunnels between the Wynn & Encore Resort and the Westgate Resort last year, the Boring Company hasn’t started any significant new tunnel projects in the city or broader county. Digging of the single-lane tunnel returning from the Wynn & Encore hasn’t begun, as the parking lot in front of the Convention Center has been rented out for events. The Boring Company has submitted plans and requests for three permits within the City of Las Vegas, but those permits have not yet been issued.
Hill said that the LVCVA’s safety team “will be involved in future construction” and that this “has been welcomed by the Boring Company.” He declined to provide any further specifics.
“This project matters a lot to Las Vegas. It also matters that it be done in the right way,” Hill said, noting that he thinks the Boring Company “completely” agrees with that. “As we look to start new tunnels here soon, we’re going to make sure that happens,” he said.
The Boring Company did not return an immediate request for comment.