The Latest: Musk says O'Hare express line could open in 2021

CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on plans for a high-speed transportation system between downtown Chicago and O'Hare Airport (all times local):

3:25 p.m.

Entrepreneur Elon Musk says a high-speed transportation system that will whisk people between downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport in about 12 minutes could be operational in about three years.

Musk joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday to formally announce that a Musk-owned enterprise, The Boring Company, was selected for the project and will fully fund it. They say the electric vehicles will move through underground tunnels at speeds of up to 150 mph (240 kph).

Emanuel says the service will make Chicago more competitive.

He scoffed at people who doubt the still-unproven technology or the city's ability to achieve what's been a goal at City Hall for more than a decade.

Musk, who's CEO of electric car maker Tesla and aerospace company SpaceX, noted he's successfully completed other "pretty tricky" projects.

___

12:15 a.m.

Chicago has chosen a company founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to build an express service from downtown to O'Hare International Airport reaching speeds up to 150 mph.

A spokesman for Mayor Rahm Emanuel confirmed the selection of The Boring Company on Wednesday night. Emanuel and Musk will make the formal announcement Thursday.

Adam Collins says the service will transport passengers between O'Hare and downtown in roughly 12 minutes using electric vehicles that will run through two underground tunnels. Collins says The Boring Company will fund the project in its entirety.

The company says on its website that the vehicles will carry eight to 16 people and travel at speeds of 125 to 150 mph.

Emanuel says the move strengthens "our great city for future generations."

The Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line trains currently provide transportation from stops across the city to the airport.