The Woodlands Township Enters The Boring Company’s Tunneling Sweepstakes
The Woodlands Township in Texas has officially thrown its hat into the ring for The Boring Company’s tunneling challenge. The township’s board unanimously approved an application to participate in 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, named “The Current,” involves the construction of two parallel 12-foot-diameter tunnels beneath the Town Center corridor near The Waterway. These tunnels would be used for Teslas to shuttle passengers between Waterway Square, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Town Green Park, and nearby hotels during concerts and large-scale events, as reported by Chron.
Officials of The Woodlands Township see the tunnel as a much-needed solution to the area’s traffic congestion issues. With the Pavilion hosting over 60 shows each year and accommodating crowds of up to 16,500, traffic on Lake Robbins Drive and surrounding intersections can become strained.
Chief Operating Officer of The Woodlands Township, Chris Nunes, highlighted the traffic impacts and pedestrian movement challenges in the Town Center area during the board meeting.
“The Current” concept is inspired by the Loop system in operation beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, where Tesla vehicles transport passengers through underground tunnels between venues and resorts.
The Boring Company released a request for proposals (RFP) in mid-January, inviting cities and districts to present their ideas for utilizing its tunneling technology. The Woodlands must submit its application by February 23, with no set timeline 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.”