The The Woodlands Township Board of Directors voted Thursday, February 19, 2026, to approve a letter of support for a tunnel proposal submitted by The Boring Company. The vote does not authorize construction but signals the Townshipโs willingness to consider the companyโs response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a conceptual underground transportation system.
The draft concept, referred to as โThe Current,โ proposes two parallel 12-foot-diameter tunnels beneath the Town Center corridor near The Woodlands Waterway. The system would potentially transport passengers in electric vehicles underground, connecting major destinations and easing traffic during peak shopping periods and major events.
Town Center includes high-traffic destinations such as Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, retail centers, restaurants, offices, and residential developments. Traffic congestion during concerts, festivals, and holiday shopping seasons has long been a concern.
Supporters argue that an underground system could add mobility without widening roads or disrupting the pedestrian character of the Waterway district. Because the proposal centers on electric vehicles rather than rail, proponents describe it as a flexible alternative that could adapt to changing demand.
However, a private tunnel system beneath a fully developed area is a significant undertaking. Large-scale tunneling projects are costly, complex, and long-term. Questions remain about who ultimately benefits, who bears the financial risk, and whether the scale of the solution matches the scope of the problem.
For context, The Boring Company , founded by Elon Musk , has built smaller-diameter vehicle tunnels in other cities. Its most visible project is the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, which transports convention attendees underground between exhibit halls. Applying that model to Town Center presents a very different set of geographic, environmental, and economic considerations.
Key Questions Moving Forward
1๏ธโฃ Cost vs. Benefit
Even relatively small tunnels can require substantial investment once engineering, drainage, safety systems, utilities relocation, and access points are factored in.
Does periodic event traffic justify that level of infrastructure?
Could improved traffic management, signal timing, parking coordination, or shuttle systems address most congestion at far lower cost?
2๏ธโฃ Existing Infrastructure
Town Center already includes:
โ Structured parking
โ Surface streets
โ Pedestrian pathways
โ The Waterway corridor
Subsurface construction would also require careful coordination with utilities, flood control systems, and long-term maintenance planning. In Southeast Texas, water management is a serious consideration in any underground project.
3๏ธโฃ Demand Reality
Unlike major metropolitan areas with daily gridlock, The Woodlands experiences heavy traffic primarily during:
โ Pavilion events
โ Holiday retail peaks
โ Special festivals
That represents periodic congestion rather than sustained urban overload.
4๏ธโฃ Governance and Oversight
A letter of support does not authorize construction. Any proposal would still need to:
โ Demonstrate financial feasibility
โ Address environmental and engineering concerns
โ Clearly define ownership, liability, and long-term operational control
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