Elon Musk’s Boring Company Eyes Massive Flood Tunnel Project in Houston

In a surprising twist on its typical traffic-focused tunneling ventures, Elon Musk’s Boring Company is exploring a new subterranean mission—one that could help shield Houston from future catastrophic flooding events.

According to a recent investigative report by The Texas Newsroom and the Houston Chronicle, Musk’s Bastrop-based tunneling startup is proposing to construct two massive stormwater tunnels in Harris County, which would divert floodwaters from the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs directly to the Port of Houston.

From Traffic Solutions to Flood Mitigation

While Musk's Boring Company is best known for urban transit tunnel projects (like those in Las Vegas), this new Houston proposal takes aim at flood control—a top-of-mind issue for a city still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Harvey, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, dropped over 50 inches of rain on the region, killed dozens, and caused an estimated $125 billion in damages—prompting serious discussions about regional flood mitigation.

Houston-area leaders have since studied large-scale infrastructure options, including a $30 billion tunnel system. Musk believes his firm can help at a fraction of that cost.

Project Details at a Glance

Here’s what’s currently known about Musk’s proposed flood tunnel project:

• Two tunnels, each 36 miles long

• 12-foot internal diameter pipes (smaller than prior 20–40 ft public proposals)

• Route: From Addicks and Barker Reservoirs to the Port of Houston

• Estimated cost: ~$760 million

• Funding request: 15% upfront from state and local governments

• Goal: Rapid drainage of major watershed areas during extreme storm events

Political Allies & Negotiations

U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt, a vocal advocate for flood protection and potential challenger to Sen. John Cornyn, has reportedly been helping Musk engage with lawmakers. According to the Chronicle, Hunt’s office even forwarded Boring Co.'s Buffalo Bayou segment proposal to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Though no formal contracts exist yet, pre-bid discussions between Boring Co. and officials remain within legal limits.

In a quote published by Community Impact, Hunt said:

"I talked to [Musk] about Hurricane Harvey and how we need tunnels. He told me, 'I can do that at a fraction of the cost the Army Corps of Engineers would do it.'"

Engineering Concerns and Feasibility

Despite the bold proposal, experts have raised serious questions:

• Can a 12-ft tunnel handle Houston’s stormwater volume?
  Some engineers suggest tunnels need to be at least 20 feet in diameter for meaningful flood relief.

• Does the Boring Company have the technical capacity?
  The firm’s past projects have typically featured smaller tunnels, such as 12–14 ft for passenger vehicle traffic. Critics wonder whether it can scale up to large-diameter pipelines.

Still, a June 2025 pilot report obtained by investigators showed that 10-foot tunnels—well within Boring Co.'s scope—were under review, with potential for public-private partnership financing models.

The Bigger Picture: Houston’s Flood Future

This isn’t the first time Houston has considered massive flood tunnels. The Harris County Flood Control District previously explored an ambitious system of eight underground tunnels designed to move stormwater swiftly to outfalls like Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay. But progress has been slow, and no construction has begun.

Could Musk’s Boring Company be the disruptive solution the city needs? It’s too soon to say—but with billions at stake and lives on the line, Houston may be more open than ever to alternatives.

Elon Musk has never shied away from moonshot ideas. Now, he’s proposing to tunnel his way into one of the most pressing infrastructure debates in America: how to protect vulnerable cities like Houston from the next climate disaster.

Will Texas give Musk the green light—or stick with traditional flood engineering plans? Time, politics, and the public will decide.

This article summarizes and expands on reporting originally published by the Chron.com.