In a notable departure from his space and electric vehicle ventures, Elon Musk’s company, The Boring Company, has proposed a new project to construct underground tunnels in Houston, Texas, to help with the city’s severe flooding issues. The plan, valued at $760 million, has emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which caused extensive damage in 2017.
The Controversy and Debate
According to investigations by the Texas Newsroom and the Houston Chronicle, The Boring Company is reportedly partnering with Houston-area Rep. Wesley Hunt to secure the project. The proposal involves building two narrow, 12-foot tunnels, and the company could receive a 15% upfront payment. However, the plan has been met with significant skepticism from experts.
Veteran water resources engineer Larry Dunbar and others have questioned whether tunnels of that size can effectively reduce flooding, arguing that they would carry far less water than what is needed. They also point out that The Boring Company‘s credentials are in transportation, not flood mitigation. The initial study for the area had called for much wider tunnels, capable of fitting a container ship.
The article notes that there are concerns about a lack of transparency in the discussions, and requests for comment from both Musk and The Boring Company have gone unanswered. Despite the debate, state and local officials have confirmed that no public money has been allocated and no tunnel contractor has been selected yet.