At the same time, the project also moved a step closer to reality after the company signed a deal to acquire the land for five miles of test track in California's Quay Valley. Construction is expected to begin next year, with the first excursions being lined up for 2019. Ahlborn also revealed that he's not too fussed about improving Hyperloop's 750mph speed, but instead will use the facility to work out the best way to get passengers on and off the system. The CEO also wanted to assure worried future users that the sensation of being fired along a tube of compressed air by magnets at close to the speed of sound won't feel "weird."