Oil pipeline construction companies will be the first to move, using their relevant technical expertise and government connections to obtain funding.
One of the first really big (>5bn$) hyperloops will go across a body of water, using budgeting channels previously used for really long bridges.
PredictionBook: One of the first really big (>5bn$) hyperloops will go across a body of water
(wasn't sure how best to make a prediction out of the other one).
I was studying in the LW Study Hall, and during our break someone posted this link to the official hyperloop announcement:
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/hyperloop_alpha-20130812.pdf
One member was doubtful it would get past regulations, and another said "tentative p>0.05 that a hyperloop gets made by 2100", which was met with "p>0.05 that uploading people and moving them between bodies will be available by 2100".
It struck me that people might be interested in betting on things like this, or at least having a conversation about it.
A few predictions to start: