Tesla's Texas Gigafactory plans major construction, raising concerns from neighbors
There's more construction expected at the Tesla Gigafactory in east Travis County.
AUSTIN (KXAN) --- There's more construction expected at the Tesla Gigafactory in east Travis County.
Filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation showed the manufacturer plans construction on 5.2 million square feet of space.
The filings don't detail much about the expansions, but some of the names for the individual projects include Drive Unit, Paint and Plastics. The expected completion date is by the end of 2025, according to the filings.
The news comes just a few weeks after Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled his plans to produce autonomous robotaxis called Cybercabs. Musk aims on creating two million a year.
KXAN reached out to Tesla for more information about the expansion. We will update this story when we hear back.
'Drastically different now'
Ariana Mata can see the Tesla Gigafactory from her backyard. She bought her property four years ago.
A month after that, Mata found out Tesla moved in behind them. She was excited at first.
"It's going to mean more businesses are coming," Mata said. "Property values immediately went up and the house wasn't even built yet."
However, Mata said her feelings quickly changed.
"When they were clearing the brush, there was tons of big tractors and big machinery, shaking the land, shaking the property," Mata said. "Once the Gigafactory got built, they still have nightly operations as well."
Mata's worries grew after hearing Tesla's plans for more construction.
"It's just drastically different now."Ariana Mata, Neighbor
In response to construction, Mata took matters into her own hands. She planted trees in her backyard in the hopes that they'll grow in time to help block what's coming through.
"The next plan that I have is potentially to put a gazebo or something where I can block that middle section of my fence so I don't have to see all of that," Mata said.
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