As well as making electric cars more accessible to the masses, Elon Musk wants to eliminate traffic congestion in busy cities. Frustrated with driving in Los Angeles, Musk set up the Boring Company with an ambitious plan to build a large network of underground tunnels with automated cars that can transport people across a city.

After demonstrating the concept with test tunnels, The Boring Company is preparing to launch its first public tunnel at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has announced the first Boring Company Tunnel will open in June, transporting passengers attending the World of Concrete event. These exhibits will run from June 8-10.

"We are excited to have partnered with Elon's company to bring this transportation 'first' to our valued convention customers," said Steve Hill, LVCVA president and CEO. "The expanded Loop system, when developed, will be a game-changer and a new 'must experience attraction for our visitors."

Before it opens to the public, the media got a chance to try it out earlier this month, but the initial trials were less ambitious than Elon Musk's original vision. Instead of using automated cars, passengers were shuttled around in Tesla Model X SUVs. And instead of a large network that can transport people from one side of the city to the other, the first Boring Tunnel is just 0.8 miles long with three passenger stations and can transport 4,400 visitors per hour in just under two minutes.

Passengers can use the LVSS Loop service free of charge. Because of the tunnel's short length, Tesla models will be driven at 35 to 40 mph and will have a driver behind the wheel until they can be driven autonomously. The LVCVA Board expects the tunnel service will have autonomous Tesla cars by December 31, 2021.

"We're grateful to LVCVA and all local stakeholders for providing us the opportunity to construct our first commercial project in one of the world's most dynamic destinations," said Steve Davis, President of The Boring Company. "We are proud to have developed and delivered an exciting transportation solution to the Las Vegas Convention Center."

It's a small step, but if the proof of concept works it will pave the way for a larger network of underground tunnels. The Boring Company already has permission to build a Vegas Loop tunnel that will have a much larger scale, transporting passengers to destinations across the city.