The Woodlands Township Applies for The Boring Company’s Tunnel Vision Challenge
The Woodlands Township in Texas has officially thrown its hat into the ring for The Boring Company’s tunneling competition. The township’s board unanimously approved an application to The Boring Company’s “Tunnel Vision Challenge,” which offers the opportunity for up to one mile of tunnel construction at no cost to the selected community.
The proposal put forth by The Woodlands is named “The Current” and involves the construction of two parallel 12-foot-diameter tunnels beneath the Town Center corridor near The Waterway. These tunnels would serve as a transportation solution for shuttling passengers between Waterway Square, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Town Green Park, and nearby hotels during concerts and large-scale events, as reported by Chron.
Township officials see the tunnel as a way to address the traffic congestion issues faced by the community, particularly around the Pavilion, which hosts over 60 shows annually and can draw crowds of up to 16,500 people, putting a strain on the surrounding roadways.
“We know we have traffic impacts and pedestrian movement challenges, especially in the Town Center area,” stated Chris Nunes, the chief operating officer of The Woodlands Township, during the board meeting.
“The Current” concept is reminiscent of The Boring Company’s Loop system in Las Vegas, where Tesla vehicles transport passengers underground between venues and resorts.
The Boring Company released its request for proposals in mid-January, inviting cities and districts to pitch ideas for utilizing its tunneling technology. The Woodlands’ application deadline is set for February 23, with no specific date provided for the announcement of the winning community.
Nunes confirmed that the board has given the green light for the submission of “The Current” proposal, emphasizing that the project is still in its early stages.
“The Woodlands Township Board of Directors has authorized staff to submit an application to The Boring Company, which has issued an RFP for communities interested in leveraging their technology to address community challenges,” he stated.
“The Board believes that an underground tunnel would provide a safe and efficient means to transport people to and from various high-use community amenities in our Town Center.”