The Woodlands Township agreed to submit a proposal to compete for a project that could create a mile-long tunnel connecting key areas of The Woodlands at no cost to the township.
The board unanimously authorized submitting a response to the Tunnel Vision Challenge issued by Elon Musk's The Boring Company at a Feb. 19 meeting. According to township meeting materials, the project could potentially improve public safety, connect major destinations and support mobility around the township.
What do you need to know
The Boring Company’s request for proposals is for a project up to 1 mile in length with a 12-foot inner diameter anywhere "a tunnel would be useful," according to the company's website. The company will select a proposal and create the tunnel for free.
Submissions for the contest are due Feb. 23 and a winner will be announced March 23, according to the company's website.
The township’s response includes a Waterway loop that would have two parallel, 12-foot diameter tunnels designed to move passengers in a fleet of Tesla electric vehicles under Town Center, according to the township meeting agenda. The concept will require support from stakeholders and partner organizations such as Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Howard Hughes.
What they're saying
Board Chair Brad Bailey said the idea for submitting a proposal came from board member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.
"We will not be the only applicants," Sekula-Gibbs said. "If we do win, that’s when we’ll learn a lot more about what the actual project could be."
"Why not take transportation to the next level with a great community like The Woodlands," Bailey said.
The monetary value of the potential project was not discussed at the meeting.
Why it matters
If awarded, the project as described in The Woodlands' submission could connect destinations such as:
- Waterway Square
- The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
- Town Green Park
The tunnel project would operate on a zero-emission, grade-separated circulation system designed to reduce high-traffic in areas across the Town Center to improve travel times during events, according to the agenda.
It could also reduce congestion by moving short trips below grade while not requiring major above-grade structures.
